Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd. - Experts & Thought Leaders

OMT, the market pioneer in fuel injection for the two-stroke engine sector, has strengthened its ability to support shipping’s decarbonisation following the acquisition of the company in its entirety by Accelleron, completed on July 20, 2023. OMT will continue to operate its global business independently as a stand-alone unit, retaining all employees, the company structure and the brand name. Together, Accelleron and OMT will advance the energy transition in shipping. Both companies remain committed to deepening relationships and collaborations with OEMs across all business segments. Growth of fuel technologies As of November 1, Klaus has officially taken the position of OMT’s Chief Executive Officer The move reinforces both OMT’s and Accelleron’s position as a partner of choice and pioneering innovator in the development of alternative fuel technologies–such as methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen–for marine engines and other large engine applications. Klaus Heim joined OMT in Turin, Italy on September 1, 2023, from WinGD (Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd.), Switzerland, where he held the position of CEO from 2018. Prior to this, Klaus was Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at OMT for 6 years. As a member of Accelleron’s Extended Management Team, Klaus reports to Daniel Bischofberger, CEO of Accelleron. As of November 1, Klaus has officially taken the position of OMT’s Chief Executive Officer. Author's quote Klaus Heim said: "Under the new umbrella of Accelleron, OMT is in a superior position to enhance its business development capabilities and strengthen its market position in the large 2-stroke and 4-stroke fuel injection segment. Having had the privilege of working with OMT in the past, as well as with Accelleron as a business partner for many years, I am eager to start my new role as CEO of OMT. I look forward to pioneering the company's transition and driving its strategic growth in the years to come.” I look forward to pioneering the company's transition and driving its strategic growth" “With Klaus Heim, we have gained an experienced CEO with an outstanding track record of expertise on large engines and fuel injection, who knows OMT as their former CTO very well,” says Daniel Bischofberger. “At the same time, we would like to express our deep respect for Gianni Musso’s life achievement of making OMT the highly successful company that it is today.” Effect on OMT’s growth Outgoing OMT President and CEO Gianni Musso said: “After many years in the positions of President and CEO of OMT, it is a great pleasure for me to pass the leadership of the company to Klaus Heim. His great experience in the marine industry together with his deep knowledge of OMT and its product portfolio will be a strong pillar for the future growth and success of the company.” Like the turbocharger, fuel injection is a mission-critical and performance-defining engine component with intensive service needs. As dual-fuel engine installations become the standard in shipping, OMT expects significant growth opportunities, allowing customers to choose to run their vessels on alternative fuels–methanol or ammonia–as they become available on the market. The extended technology portfolio, improved customer service offering and progress in digitalisation will have a long-lasting positive effect on OMT’s growth.

Swiss-based marine engine technology developer, WinGD - Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd has expanded its global training network, through a partnership with DCS POWER PTE LTD in Singapore, to deliver state-of-the-art training for optimising engine performance and preparing crews for the fuels of the future. The new training partnership, which was commemorated on the 22nd of February, will combine the skills and expertise of WinGD with those of machinery specialist DCS, further enhancing the global training network for the engine developer. WinGD - DCS POWER PTE LTD partership Strategically located in Singapore, one of the busiest ports in the world, this partnership offers optimal convenience for WinGD’s expanding customer base in the region. Preparing crews for the new future-fuel ready vessels will be delivered through a variety of both virtual and classroom-based training courses. The training will cover the full portfolio of engines, as well as the operational aspects of the future fuel landscape, prioritising safety and engine optimisation. Full Mission Engine Room Simulator (FMS) The complexity of the marine engine and its sub systems are increasing with the introduction of multi-fuel systems" A Full Mission Engine Room Simulator (FMS), equipped with WinGD’s virtual-reality engine room, Xpert, is a key feature of the training programme, in order to allow the crew to train as a team for responding to real-life emergency scenarios involving the engine itself and all engine room systems. WinGD - Winterthur Gas & Diesel’s Director of Operations, Dr. Rudolf Holtbecker, commented “The complexity of the marine engine and its sub systems are increasing with the introduction of multi-fuel systems.” Enhancing vessel efficiency with Low fuel consumption Dr. Rudolf Holtbecker adds, “For optimal operation and engine maintenance, crews need to be familiar with the machinery and the modalities associated with the fuels of the future. The emphasis on improving vessel efficiency with reduced fuel consumption will ensure that priority is given for reducing the emissions footprint.” WinGD - Winterthur Gas & Diesel’s Director of Sales, Volkmar Galke was in Singapore for the opening. He said, “More than ever before, crew need to be equipped with the essential skills and confidence to be prepared for sailing on both new and existing vessels.” New training partnership in Singapore Volkmar Galke adds, “The addition of our new training partnership in Singapore positions us in one of the biggest global shipping hubs in the world, offering our customers confidence and convenience, as we equip their crew with the skills they need to operate the vessels of the future.” WinGD operates four training centres located in Winterthur, Switzerland, in Busan, South Korea, in Shanghai, China, and in Athens, Greece. Authorised, third-party training partners are also located in Szczecin, Poland, in Subic Bay, Philippines, and in Mumbai, India.

Swiss based marine engine technology developer, Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd. (WinGD) continues to invest in its R&D (Research & Development) testing infrastructure, with the opening of a new collaborative Global Test Centre in Shanghai, China. Global Test Centre The new test centre, which opened on the December 16, 2021, is in collaboration with CSPI (China Shipbuilding Power Engineering Institute Co., Ltd.), for the advancement of a decarbonised future, through sustainable fuel and combustion research and innovation.    The role of R&D has come into sharp focus, as part of the strategy to help ships reach the International Maritime Organization - IMO’s 2050 target. The success of the industry reaching these targets relies on a focus well beyond alternate fuels. Research, innovation in future fuel propulsion solutions This new Global Test Centre will encompass research and innovation around future fuel propulsion solutions, holistic energy management systems, and power generation based on new energy converters. For the development of new technologies and products, the Global Test Centre comprises of two 2-stroke test engines and several test rigs for the validation of sub-systems such as fuel injection, pumps or gas admission valves. Development of low pressure dual-fuel technology With future demands in mind, testing will focus on new fuels, including methanol and ammonia With future demands in mind, testing will focus on new fuels, including methanol and ammonia, and on the further development of WinGD’s low pressure dual-fuel technology. The test centre will also be equipped with an electrical grid representing modern vessels, including a DC grid laboratory and dynamometers instead of water brakes, a perfectly suited infrastructure to test and demonstrate hybrid propulsion systems in the future. Commitment to accelerate the energy transition in shipping Dominik Schneiter, WinGD’s Vice President (VP) of Research & Development, said “The pace at which we need to act as an industry, to reach a carbon free future, requires all players to step up with significant commitment. By considerably expanding our test engine infrastructure, we are confirming our commitment to accelerate the energy transition in shipping.” Dominik Schneiter adds, “The future is a multi-fuel landscape where deep knowledge of the combustion properties of all fuels is required. Our collaboration with our CSSC family of companies allows us to bring the full weight of our shared expertise towards this goal.” Decarbonisation of the maritime industry is a challenge The decarbonisation of the maritime industry is a global challenge that requires collaboration and collective efforts, at unprecedented levels. The combination of WinGD’s proven expertise of 2-stroke engine efficiency with low emissions and the technology innovation capabilities of the China Shipbuilding Power Engineering Institute Co., Ltd., will result in future integrated power solutions that will help reach zero emissions.