Norway-headed roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping and vehicle logistics major Wallenius Wilhelmsen ASA has announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for four firm, and eight optional, next generation methanol dual-fuel vessels with Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) Co. Ltd in China.
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The four next-generation vessels and the up to eight optional units of 9 350 CEU class are all pure car and truck carriers (PCTC) with the first vessels will start being delivered from the second half of 2026.
I am very happy that we can launch this to the market now. I know it is expected from us, and that in order to keep our fleet size, we need to continue ordering vessels. However, with no clear direction on future fuel, this has not been an easy task. We needed time to assess what was the best option for us, said Xavier Leroi, EVP and COO of Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
New “Shaper Class”
There is an urgent need for our industry to transform over the next couple of years. As a company, we are determined to shape this industry and lead the way to capitalize effectively on changing circumstances, as we grow with customers and partners sharing our journey, said Lasse Kristoffersen, CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
According to the company, these are not just four new ordinary vessels and all of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s new investments will contribute to the ambitious goals of reaching net-zero emissions by 2027.
As such, as a pledge to this ambition, it is only fitting that the new vessel class is named “The Shaper Class”.
Lars Ekren, Senior Manager – Newbuildings and Conversions at Wallenius Wilhelmsen explains.
We have high ambitions for the future. We want to be our customers’ first choice in shipping and we want to deliver an end-to-end net-zero emissions solution by 2027. Our new vessels will enable us to get closer to these goals. At the same time, we are the world’s largest roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessel operator and will maintain a fleet of 125-135 vessels, Lars Ekren said.
Methanol is seen as the fastest way to reach net-zero emissions, and these four vessels have been ordered to use alternative fuel sources, such as methanol, upon delivery.
The process of developing our new design started over one and a half years ago and the Newbuidlings team has been working in close collaboration with the designer (Delta Marin) and internal and external stakeholders during this period, to ensure the vessel design meets safety requirements and is well suitable for our future short term & long-term operational needs. Energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is a top priority, and a lot of effort has been put into ensuring the new vessels will significantly contribute to meeting our emission reduction targets, said Lars Ekren.
The vessels will also be ammonia-ready and will be able to be converted as soon as ammonia becomes available in a safe and secure way.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen says that its commitment is to continue to grow with its customers, and together, reach our net-zero emissions ambitions by securing new builds and biofuels, as well as maintaining the 125-135 vessels in its fleet.
To secure our number one position, we will continue to deliver great services with a competitive fleet, offering sustainable supply chain services both on land and at sea. We are already partnering with our customers on reducing emissions through biofuel and with the new vessels we can accelerate this towards net-zero. This requires new and more expensive fuels but both we and our customers are committed to securing this as soon as it can be made available, ended Xavier Leroi.