WinGD has announced that the first commercial installations of its new variable compression ratio (VCR) technology will be carried out on two new dual-fuel LNG powered vessels being built for NYK Line. 

A 95,000 dwt bulk carrier being built at Oshima Shipbuilding Co.,Ltd. and a 7,000 CEU pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) being built at Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co.,Ltd will be the first two-stroke powered vessels that can dynamically optimise combustion depending on the fuel being used – delivering improved emissions, fuel economy and fuel flexibility.

VCR technology was introduced in June after more than a decade of co-development with Mitsui E&S DU (MESDU). The simple hydraulic solution mounted on the piston crosshead represents a breakthrough in two-stroke engine design as the first concept enabling compression ratio to be adjusted, delivering significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions in both diesel and gas modes (around 6% and 3% respectively).