According to Splash247, Mitsui E&S has completed factory acceptance testing of the first WinGD methanol dual-fuel large marine engine built in Japan. The DU-WinGD 6X82DF-M-1.0 LP-SCR was manufactured by group company Mitsui E&S DU at the Tamano Works and is also the first large WinGD engine produced at that facility. The milestone arrives as Japan rebuilds domestic shipbuilding capacity.
Engine specification and installation plan
The six-cylinder engine can operate on methanol and conventional fuel oil, and is fitted with a low-pressure selective catalytic reduction (LP-SCR) system to meet nitrogen oxide emission requirements, Splash247 reported. The engine is due to be installed on the first of four vessels being built for an unnamed Japanese shipowner; Mitsui E&S did not disclose the vessel type, yard or delivery schedule.
The DU-WinGD 6X82DF-M-1.0 LP-SCR is both Japan's first WinGD methanol engine and the first large WinGD engine built at the Tamano Works.
Methanol VLCC order book
According to Splash247, the same engine model was selected in 2024 for a methanol dual-fuel VLCC concept developed by Idemitsu Tanker, Iino Lines, NYK and Nihon Shipyard. The 309,400 dwt design also features a shaft generator and can be equipped with rotor sails. The partners have since moved ahead with four ships based on the common design:
| Shipowner | Units | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Iino | 1 | from 2027 |
| NYK | 1 | 2028 |
| Idemitsu Tanker | 2 | 2028 and 2029 |
Iino ordered the first unit for delivery from 2027, NYK followed with a vessel due in 2028, while Idemitsu Tanker contracted a further pair for delivery in 2028 and 2029, according to Splash247. The four-vessel series is based on the common design and uses the engine model that has now passed factory acceptance testing.
Production expansion across Tamano and Aioi
Mitsui E&S is expanding large-engine production through the combined use of its Tamano and Aioi sites as Japan looks to rebuild domestic shipbuilding capacity, according to Splash247. The Tamano plant has traditionally manufactured Everllence-licensed engines, while Mitsui E&S DU has produced WinGD designs under a relationship dating back to 1948. The new methanol engine is the first large WinGD unit built at Tamano, adding a second engine technology line to the facility's portfolio.
Ammonia propulsion test capacity
The company is also increasing its testing capacity for ammonia propulsion systems at Tamano, with plans to offer packages combining engines, fuel tanks and fuel supply equipment, Splash247 reported. This alternative-fuel testing expansion is taking place at the same Tamano site that produced the DU-WinGD 6X82DF-M-1.0 LP-SCR.
For manufacturing executives and procurement teams, the completed factory acceptance test means that Japanese production lines at Tamano can now build large WinGD methanol dual-fuel engines, the same model selected for the four-vessel methanol VLCC series ordered by Iino, NYK and Idemitsu Tanker. The Tamano facility is also the site of expanded ammonia propulsion testing capacity, with plans to offer packages combining engines, fuel tanks and fuel supply equipment. These developments combine the site's traditional Everllence-licensed engine manufacturing and its WinGD relationship dating back to 1948 with new alternative-fuel engine programs.
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