Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s newbuilding portfolio is getting bigger as the car carrier operator has decided to exercise options for two additional 11,700 ceu vessels of the so-called Shaper class and to upsize an additional two.
Norway’s Wallenius Wilhelmsen announced on Friday that has declared an option for two additional 11,700 CEU Shaper class vessels at China Merchants Jingling Shipyard Co., Ltd.
The two declared options are part of the four previously announced outstanding options.
The delivery of the ships is expected in the second half of 2028. As part of the deal, the company will continue to hold options for two more vessels declarable by the second half of 2025.
“Exercising our options and upsizing further Shaper class vessels fit seamlessly with Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s net-zero ambition,” said Xavier Leroi EVP & COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen.
Additionally, the company intends to upsize two additional vessels from 9,300 ceu to 11,700 ceu, bringing the total of upsized Shaper vessels to eight.
“The vessels are prepared for net-zero and future fuels from day one and will reduce fuel consumption and emissions considerably,” noted Xavier Leroi.
“With our sight set on a net-zero future for shipping, upsizing and expanding our Shaper class is a step in the right direction toward that goal,” Leroi added.
The cost of the two optional vessels and the upsizing of the two of the vessels on order, Wallenius Wilhelmsen said, will be in line with the previous order of Shaper class vessels.
After the company’s announcement, Wallenius Wilhelmsen will have a total of 14 Shaper class vessels on order, 8 x 11,700 ceu and 6 x 9,300 ceu vessels.
