Wallenius Wilhelmsen signs letter of intent with Jinling Shipyard for methanol dual fuel PCTCs

Norway-based global RoRo shipping and vehicle logistics firm Wallenius Wilhelmsen on Tuesday (15 August said it signed a letter of intent for four firm, and up to eight optional, units of 9,350CEU class methanol dual fuel pure care and truck carriers) with Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu).

The first vessels will start being delivered from the second half of 2026.

“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 capitalise effectively on changing circumstances, as we grow with customers and partners sharing our journey,” Lasse Kristoffersen, CEO, said in a statement. 

The new vessel class was named “The Shaper Class” in line with its ambitions to be its customers’ first choice in shipping and to deliver an end-to-end net-zero emissions solution by 2027. The new vessels will enable the firm to get closer to these goals.

Lars Ekren, Senior Manager – Newbuildings and Conversions, said: “The process of developing our new design started over 1.5 year ago and the Newbuidlings team have been working in close collaboration with the designer (Delta Marin) and internal & external stakeholders during this period, to ensure the vessel design meets of safety requirements and is well suitable for our future short term & long-term operational needs,” he said.

“Energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions is a top priority, and a lot of effort has put into ensuring the new vessels will significantly contribute to meeting our emission reduction targets.”

Wallenius Wilhelmsen also said it is in the process of securing new builds and biofuels, as well as maintaining the 125 to 135 vessels on 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,” Xavier Leroi, EVP & COO Shipping Services, said. 

“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 secure this as soon as it can be made available.”

The firm also believes that methanol is the fastest way to reach net-zero emission.

“These four vessels have been ordered to use alternative fuel sources, such as methanol, upon delivery. They will also be ammonia-ready and will be able to be converted as soon as ammonia becomes available in a safe and secure way,” it added. 

Related: Wallenius Wilhelmsen, ExxonMobil team up for sustainable bio bunker fuel supply deal
Related: Wallenius Wilhelmsen and partners secure EUR 9 million funding to build wind-powered RoRo vessel

Photo credit: Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Published: 16 August, 2023