Norwegian car carrier operator Wallenius Wilhelmsen has announced the renewal of a shipping contract with a major European automaker, a deal valued at approximately $420 million.
The three-year renewal extends the original term from mid-2028 to mid-2031. Under the existing agreement with the automaker, there was a remaining contract value of approximately $180 million yet to be fulfilled.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen stated that the early agreement on the renewal secures contract coverage at sustainable rate levels for the next five years. The parties also agreed to utilize low-emission marine fuels during the contract period to accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions.
Over the past two years, Wallenius Wilhelmsen has secured multiple major contracts for the transport of vehicles and equipment, including a $190 million shipping contract renewal with a global vehicle distributor (extending to March 2026) and two contract extensions signed in December 2025 with a combined value of nearly $500 million.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s official website states that the company is a market leader in roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) transport and vehicle logistics, providing global customers with transportation services for cars, trucks, RoRo equipment, and bulk cargo. Its operations span 28 countries and regions, and it manages a fleet of approximately 125 vessels serving 15 trade routes across six continents. The company also operates a global inland distribution network, 66 handling centers, and seven maritime terminals.
In addition to its current fleet, Wallenius Wilhelmsen placed an order in October 2023 with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) for 4+4+4 9,300 CEU methanol-fueled dual-fuel car carriers (PCTCs). In February 2024, the first four optional vessels were confirmed; In March, a new construction agreement for 4 optional vessels was signed; in May, the subsequent 4 optional vessels became firm; in September, the shipowner announced that it would upgrade 4 9,300 CEU PCTCs to 11,700 CEU capacity; in November, 2 11,700 CEU PCTCs were made firm, and 2 9,300 CEU PCTCs were upgraded to 11,700 CEU capacity.
To date, Wallenius Wilhelmse has confirmed 14 PCTCs at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu), including 8 11,700 CEU PCTCs and 6 9,300 CEU PCTCs. Seven of these vessels are equipped with LNG dual-fuel engines and feature an ammonia retrofit-ready design, while seven are equipped with methanol dual-fuel engines.
It is worth noting that, according to ship design firm Deltamarin, the six 11,700 CEU PCTCs ordered by Wallenius Wilhelmsen from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) have been further upgraded to 12,100 CEU , making this vessel type the largest PCTC ever built.
Regarding construction progress, the “ARCTIC TERN,” the first 9,300 CEU methanol dual-fuel PCTC being built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) for Wallenius Wilhelmsen, was christened on May 28, 2026.