Smart Design Makes a Real Difference
When Future Way entered service in spring 2024, it marked more than the start of a new vessel series – it signaled a new way of thinking about energy-efficient ship design. One year later, the figures clearly show that a carefully tailored design and well-considered technology choices can lead to significant fuel and emission savings.
Future Way is the result of a focused design process, where every design choice was evaluated based on real-world needs. The outcome is a vessel where technology, form, and function work together to reduce fuel consumption without compromising cargo capacity or operational reliability.
“It’s not about a single technology – it’s about how everything comes together” says Carl Fagergren, Design Manager Ship Design at Wallenius Marine
A series of smart choices paved the way
From the start, every decision was made with performance and efficiency in mind. A dual fuel-efficient engine was chosen, and the hull shape was carefully optimized for minimal resistance. Real-time adjustments based on operational and weather data ensure optimal routing on every voyage. By relocating the deckhouse, the need for ballast water when fully loaded was eliminated. And with an optimized ramp design, loading and unloading operations are now significantly faster.
Future Way is equipped with a multi-fuel engine that can run on LNG and LBG as well as both regular and synthetic diesel. However, the hull design stands out as one of the ship’s most visible innovations. The bow features a reverse angle to reduce water resistance, while the narrowed stern improves water flow to the propellers, enhancing propulsion efficiency. Above the waterline, the bridge has been lowered and the entire superstructure streamlined – with integrated ventilation fans and other smart design choices – to minimize air resistance and improve overall performance.
Designed in close collaboration with the customer – ready to evolve with future needs.
“Nothing has been left to chance. To me, this ship proves that smart design doesn’t just look good on paper – it truly makes a difference at sea,” says Carl Fagergren. He explains that one of the key success factors is that Future Way was developed in close collaboration with the customer, for a clear purpose: transatlantic car transport.
“When you know exactly what a ship is meant to do, you can strip away everything unnecessary. We didn’t add anything just for the sake of it – every detail serves a purpose. That allowed us to keep the weight down and create a slim, efficient design without sacrificing capacity.”
Future Way isn’t just optimized for today’s technology – she’s also ready for tomorrow’s solutions. She is prepped for conversion to a battery hybrid and can also be equipped with wing sails from sister company Oceanbird, which would further reduce consumption – and emissions – significantly. At the same time, practical improvements have been integrated to meet the needs of both cargo owners and ports. One example is the 28-meter ramp, placed midship instead of on the side.
Elimination of Ballast Water
Every year, an estimated 10 billion tonnes of ballast water are transported across the world’s oceans. Not only does this require large amounts of fuel to carry the extra weight, it also contributes to the spread of invasive species – with potentially devastating impacts on local ecosystems. Future Way addresses this in two key ways. By relocating the deckhouse, the vessel eliminates the need for ballast water when fully loaded. In addition, it is equipped with a fully automated, energy-efficient ballast water treatment system that complies with IMO regulations and significantly reduces the risk of introducing invasive species.
A First Step Forward – Looking Ahead
Future Way and Way Forward, the second ship in the series, represent an important step in Wallenius Marine’s long-term work towards a more sustainable shipping. By combining innovative design with practical functionality, the two vessels show that the transition to more energy-efficient transport can already take major strides. Dan Reineck served as Project Manager at Wallenius Marine, overseeing the development of Future Way – from initial design through to delivery:
“We’re very pleased with how the ship is performing. It shows that investing in design and technology pays off – both economically and environmentally. Even though Future Way is already showing impressive results, we’re just at the beginning of the journey. We’re closely monitoring the vessel’s CII rating – a metric that shows how energy-efficient a ship is relative to the amount of cargo transported. So far, the results look very promising,” says Dan.
“To get a reliable picture over time, we need more data. That’s why we’re looking forward to seeing Future Way and her sister ship Way Forward complete a few more transatlantic crossings,” Dan concludes.
The vessel sails under the Swedish flag, is owned by Wallenius Lines, managed by Wallenius Marine and is chartered by the Volkswagen Group.
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