Wallenius Wilhelmsen expands fleet renewal program with new PCTC orders
Wallenius Wilhelmsen has signed agreements for four new dual-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs), together with options for up to eight additional vessels, as it continues expanding its Shaper Class fleet renewal program.
The agreement was reached with Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) in China, following the company’s private placement announced earlier in October 2026. Each vessel will have a capacity of 9,900 car equivalent units (CEU) and will be equipped with dual-fuel LNG engines.
The four firm newbuildings are scheduled for delivery from mid-2030. The agreement also includes options for four additional vessels in 2031 and a further four in 2032. If all eight options are exercised, the total capital expenditure associated with the agreements is expected to reach approximately US$1.5 billion.
The latest order builds on the fleet renewal program launched by Wallenius Wilhelmsen in 2023. Including the newly announced vessels and outstanding options, the company’s renewal program now comprises 26 vessels.
Expanding the Shaper Class fleet
The Shaper Class vessels are designed to accommodate a range of rolling and non-containerised cargo, with adjustable decks, heavy-duty ramps and flexible cargo spaces suited to the company’s global trading operations.
The design incorporates LNG dual-fuel propulsion and forms part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s plans to modernise its fleet while expanding its ability to serve customers across the deep-sea Ro-Ro market.
According to the company, the additional vessels are intended to increase capacity and operational flexibility across its global network, supporting future demand for vehicle and equipment transportation.
Xavier Leroi, Chief Operating Officer Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, said the expansion reflects the company’s assessment of long-term opportunities in the markets it serves.
The company has already begun receiving vessels under its existing Shaper Class program, with deliveries continuing as the broader renewal initiative progresses.
The latest agreements extend Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s newbuilding schedule into the next decade, while the eventual scale of the investment will depend on whether the company exercises the additional vessel options.
