Wallenius will build and manage two vessels for Volkswagen Group Logistics
Innovative ship design will make it possible to transport 6,500 Volkswagen car equivalent units with significantly less emissions across the oceans, using technologies available today. Wallenius Marine will provide both ship management and ship design/new building services.
The car industry is making giant leaps in reducing its environmental footprint in every part of its supply chain. Therefore, Wallenius Marine are leading the building project of two multi-fuel vessels with the ability to carry 6,500 cars each. After delivery in the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024, the vessels will be chartered out to Volkswagen Konzernlogistik GmbH & Co. OHG and transport new vehicles of the Volkswagen Group for at least ten years, with ship management from Wallenius Marine.
“We are delighted to contract Wallenius Marine as our partner to support us reaching our goals of decarbonization. These further vessels are decisive to reduce CO2 emissions sustainably. Furthermore, they enable us to use alternative fuels in the long term, and thus reduce CO2 emissions even more”, says Simon Motter, Head of Volkswagen Konzernlogistik.
Ship owners once again
The vessels will be owned by Wallenius. This means that Wallenius will be a ship owning company, which has not been the case since Wallenius and Wilhelmsen combined their fleets and formed the joint company Wallenius Wilhelmsen in 2017.
“It makes sense for a company with a long history in the shipping industry to once again own vessels. We will also continue to provide ship management, ship design and new building services. This order from Volkswagen Group Logistics combines the three areas, which provides opportunities for a holistic perspective and several positive synergy effects“ says Johan Mattsson, CEO of Wallenius Marine.
7 smart design solutions for the environment
Wallenius Marine has the vision to lead the way towards truly sustainable shipping. These vessels have several smart solutions for making as small environmental impact as possible:
- Multi-fuel engines (LNG/LBG/diesel/synthetic diesel) adapted for existing fuels as well as the more environmentally sound choices that are in a development or early expansion phase.
- Battery ready in order to further reduce fuel consumption.
- Shore connection for zero emissions in port.
- A new design for the ramp system saves time at port, which allow the vessel to go by slower speed at sea.
- Shaft generator of active front end type in order to reduce fuel consumption.
- An aerodynamically optimized shape that slices the drag by a third compared to conventional designs, giving substantial savings for the Atlantic Operation where windy conditions are prevailing.
- Invasive species are spread across the world through ships ballast water. This design eliminates the need for ballast water to attain sufficient stability margin when operating fully loaded on the North Atlantic. Another benefit from not carrying heavy ballast water, is reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
Short facts
Length: 200 meters
Width: 37 meters
Capacity: 6,500 car equivalent units
Engine: Multi-fuel
Design partner: Knud E Hansen
Shipyard: CIMC Raffles, China
Delivery: First vessel in the end of 2023, second in beginning of 2024.
