Winterthur/Kuala Lumpur – Winterthur-based Gas & Diesel Ltd (WinGD) is entering into a partnership with shipping company AET and maritime academy Akademi Laut Malaysia, both part of the MISC Group. Together, the partners aim to develop technologies and training for ammonia engines.
Winterthur-based marine engine developer WinGD has agreed to collaborate with ship owner and operator AET and maritime training institution Akademi Laut Malaysia(ALAM). Both belong to the MISC Group based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. According to a media release, the partners plan to work toward the potential introduction of X-DF-A ammonia engines on ships. These would be among the world’s first double-tankers to run on ammonia and thus be emission-free.
WinGD is to develop a crew training plan and support its implementation. The aim of this measure is to prepare some of the world’s first seafarers to handle the new fuel and engines safely. The agreement also provides for ALAM to train its seafarers and managers in operations, maintenance, monitoring, repair, and health and safety procedures specific to the new engines.
“Not only are we preparing our engines for integration into an important type of vessel, but the training developed as part of this project will also feed into the knowledge pool that operators and their crews need to operate these new ammonia-fueled vessels confidently, safely and efficiently,” Rudolph Holtbecker, director operations WinGD, is quoted as saying in the media release.
The first engines for Suezmax and Aframax tankers are scheduled to enter service from 2025. “The results of this collaboration will help AET and MISC Group fulfill our commitment to deliver more energy with fewer emissions,” Zahid Osman, president and CEO of AET, is quoted as saying. ce/ko
