Wallenius Wilhelmsen orders alternative fuel-flexible vessels
Wallenius Wilhelmsen has ordered four dual-fuel methanol pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) from China’s Jinling Shipyard.
PHOTO: Delta Marin has designed the concept for Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s 9,350-CEU ammonia-ready dual-fuel PCTCs powered by methanol. Wallenius Wilhelmsen
"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,” the Scandinavian logistics provider said.
The four 9,350-car equivalent unit (CEU) vessels will be delivered from mid-2026 onwards. Wallenius Wilhelmsen has an option to order eight more of these vessels in the future.
It was difficult to pick the "right fuel" given the lack of a "clear direction" on future fuel, said Xavier Leroi, chief operating officer of shipping services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
The company intends to reduce its fleet's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by using multiple fuels instead of relying exclusively on one type. Besides buying newbuilds powered by methanol and later ammonia, Wallenius Wilhelmsen will use biofuels to cut emissions from its existing fleet, in an effort to reach its ambitious goal of net zero emissions by 2027.
Multi-fuel future on the horizon
This decision aligns with findings from leading non-profits that the shipping industry will be multi-fuel in the future.
The Global Maritime Forum (GMF), the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMZCS) surveyed shipping companies to determine which fuels they favour for the long term.
45% of respondents said they prefer to power their fleets with a variety of alternative fuels, such as biofuels, bio-liquefied natural gas (bioLNG), methanol and ammonia, rather than depending on just one.
GMF also added that ports and alternative fuel suppliers are expected to offer “multiple fuel types” in the long run to gain a competitive edge.
By Konica Bhatt
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