Hanwha Engine Achieves World’s First Production of VCR-Equipped Engine for LNG Carriers

On August 29, Hanwha Engine held a ceremony at its headquarters in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, to commemorate the world’s first production of an X-DF engine equipped with Variable Compression Ratio (VCR) technology, officially announcing the first shipment of the 5X72DF-2.2 engine featuring VCR. The X-DF engine is a next-generation eco-friendly dual-fuel engine capable of co-firing liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Event photo of the world's first LNG carrier VCR application engine production. Hanwha Engine

This newly produced engine marks the first application of VCR technology, developed and validated over more than a decade by engine designer WinGD, to an LNG carrier. It is scheduled to be installed on vessels for the Qatar Project, one of the world’s largest LNG transportation projects currently under construction by Samsung Heavy Industries.

The event was attended by Yoo Moonki, CEO of Hanwha Engine, Jang Haeki, Vice President of Samsung Heavy Industries, representatives from WinGD, shipowners, classification society officials, and other key figures from the shipbuilding and shipping industries.

VCR technology is a next-generation eco-friendly innovation that maximizes fuel efficiency and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by adjusting the engine’s compression ratio in real time according to operating conditions. In particular, it can reduce methane slip-unburned LNG fuel released into the atmosphere-by 30 to 50 percent compared to previous technologies, drawing significant attention from the global shipping industry where greenhouse gas reduction is a major priority.

Through this production, Hanwha Engine has proactively responded to the needs of global shipowners and has already secured orders for approximately 70 VCR-equipped engines worth about 700 billion won, demonstrating strong market demand. This achievement further solidifies Hanwha Engine’s leading position in eco-friendly engine technology, following its commercialization of the world’s first dual-fuel engine production in 2013.

CEO Yoo Moonki stated, "The world’s first production of a VCR-equipped engine for LNG carriers is not just a technological milestone, but also a landmark that will accelerate the shipbuilding industry’s transition to eco-friendly solutions. Hanwha Engine will continue to lead the industry’s future direction with eco-friendly technology and grow as a company that makes a tangible contribution to the marine environment."