Wallenius Wilhelmsen, a Norwegian car carrier operator that recently secured a major shipbuilding order at a Chinese shipyard, has once again secured a large, long-term shipping contract.
A few days ago, Wallenius Wilhelmsen announced that it has signed a three-year shipping and logistics contract with a leading Asian automaker, with a total value of approximately $700 million. Combined with the shipping and logistics contract worth over $1 billion announced on October 29, the shipping company has secured major transport contracts totaling over $1.7 billion in just a few days.
Regarding the latest contract, Wallenius Wilhelmsen has not yet disclosed specific client information, stating only that the order is a continuation of the existing partnership between the two parties. The freight rate for the order is broadly in line with current market levels, and the agreement includes a two-year extension option, subject to mutual agreement. The contract encompasses a multi-fuel strategy across all routes, allowing for the gradual introduction of alternative and low-emission fuels.
On October 29, Wallenius Wilhelmsen signed two shipping contracts with a major construction equipment manufacturer, with a combined value of approximately $1.05 billion. Both contracts are for three years, with the shipping services accounting for approximately $950 million and the supporting logistics services totaling nearly $100 million.
Since the beginning of this year, Wallenius Wilhelmsen has steadily expanded its contract portfolio. In January, the shipping company signed a $130 million maritime contract with an Asian automaker and heavy equipment manufacturer; in March, it renewed a $190 million automotive distribution contract with an unnamed client; and in June, it secured a $420 million contract renewal with a major European automaker.
Including the projects worth over $1.7 billion recently secured, Wallenius Wilhelmsen has secured approximately $2.5 billion in shipping contracts this year.
This series of orders comes on the heels of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s large-scale shipbuilding project being awarded to a Chinese shipyard.
On October 28, Wallenius Wilhelmsen announced that it had signed a contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) for the construction of 4+8 9,900 CEU dual-fuel PCTCs. Including the option for additional vessels, the total value of the order for the 12 new ships is approximately $1.5 billion, with each vessel costing about $125 million. The first four vessels are scheduled for delivery in mid-2030. If the options are exercised, four vessels will be delivered in 2031 and another four in 2032.
The newly ordered PCTCs are Shaper-class vessels, developed by Wallenius Wilhelmsen in collaboration with the ship design firm Deltamarin. The vessels are equipped with liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel engines, retractable decks, heavy-load ramps, and flexible cargo hold space, making them suitable for transporting a wide variety of cargo.
It is understood that Wallenius Wilhelmsen is one of China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu)’s major clients. The partnership between the two parties began in October 2023, when they signed a contract for the construction of 4+4+4 9,300 CEU methanol dual-fuel PCTCs. Subsequently, contracts for several new vessels were signed or came into effect, and the capacity of six of these 9,300 CEU PCTCs was expanded to 11,700 CEU. According to ship design firm Deltamarin, these six 11,700 CEU PCTCs have been further upgraded to 12,100 CEU.
With the latest orders, Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s total order book has grown to 26 vessels (including 8 options), comprising 8 11,700 CEU PCTCs, 6 9,300 CEU PCTCs, and 4+8 9,900 CEU PCTCs. All vessels will be built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu), with delivery dates ranging from the third quarter of 2026 through 2032.
According to its official website, Wallenius Wilhelmsen is a market leader in RoRo transport and vehicle logistics, providing global customers with transportation services for cars, trucks, RoRo equipment, and bulk cargo. The company operates in 28 countries and regions, manages a fleet of approximately 125 vessels, serves 15 trade routes across six continents, and maintains a global inland distribution network, 66 handling centers, and seven marine terminals.