Business, Feature, Freight News, Sea

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Upsizes Shaper Class

[ October 4, 2024   //   Gary G Burrows ]

Wallenius Wilhelmsen said four of the dozen Shaper-class vessels on order with Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) will be increased in size from 9,300 car equivalent units to about 11,700 CEUs – the largest pure car truck carriers to ever to sail and are intended to reduce the cost of the company’s net-zero end-to-end ambition.
“Specifically designed for our needs and trading patterns, prepared for net-zero from day one, and purpose built with significant economies of scale, we believe the new upsized Shaper vessels are a class apart. Providing significant savings on fuel and emissions in comparison to the current fleet and with both unparalleled capacity and the highest ramp strength in the order book, these vessels are truly fit for the future” said Xavier Leroi, executive vice president and chief operating, officer shipping services, at Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
The vessels will be the ocean element of the integrated net-zero service Wallenius Wilhelmsen will offer customers from 2027. The end-to-end offering will include all stages of finished vehicles’ transport from factory to end consumer. The company plans to utilize its considerable land-based logistics and transport network to make this a reality.
The four upsized vessels share many design features of the Shaper Class such as a dual fuel engine, methanol capable from delivery, improved ramp strength, significant high and heavy capacity and an extensive focus on energy efficiency, safety and crew welfare, Wallenius Wilhelmsen said.
The Shaper class vessels will be delivered from the second half of 2026, with the new upsized versions due for delivery beginning late 2027.

Tags: Wallenius Wilhelmsen