The trend of supersizing car carriers continues as Norwegian shipping giant Wallenius Wilhelmsen takes the lead with its announcement of the largest vessels ever ordered in the sector. The Oslo-listed company, which already has a dozen 9,300 car equivalent unit (ceu) vessels from the Shaper class under construction at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, has now opted to increase the capacity of four of these newbuilds to 11,700 ceu.
“These vessels will be the largest pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) ever to sail and are crucial to advancing our net-zero end-to-end goal,” stated Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
The four supersized vessels will retain most of the innovative features of the Shaper class, including dual-fuel engines capable of running on methanol, enhanced ramp strength, significant capacity for heavy cargo, and a strong emphasis on energy efficiency, safety, and crew welfare.
The first of these groundbreaking vessels is slated for delivery in late 2027.
“We believe the upsized Shaper vessels set a new industry standard,” said Xavier Leroi, Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations at Wallenius Wilhelmsen. “They offer substantial savings on fuel and emissions compared to the current fleet, and with their unmatched capacity and the highest ramp strength available, these ships are fully prepared for the future.”
This move follows recent developments in the sector, including an order for 10,800 ceu vessels by Seaspan and HMM in partnership with Hyundai Glovis, which at the time were considered the largest car carriers under development. China Merchants Jinling soon after revealed a design for an 11,000 ceu ship, securing an approval in principle from the classification society DNV.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s decision to push capacity even further with 11,700 ceu vessels underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in global shipping.