Deltamarin, a leading provider of ship design, offshore engineering, and construction support for the marine and offshore industries, has signed a contract with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu) Co. to provide design and engineering services for Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s expanded Shaper Class pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs). The agreement covers six of the fourteen vessels currently on order at Jinling Shipyard, which will be upsized from 9,300 to approximately 12,100 car equivalent units (CEUs), making them the largest PCTCs ever to enter service.
Enhanced Efficiency and Sustainability
Deltamarin will deliver both basic and detailed design services, ensuring optimization in fuel efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The upsized vessels will maintain key features of the original Shaper Class, including dual-fuel engines capable of running on methanol, a crucial step in reducing fuel consumption and emissions compared to existing fleets.
As part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s commitment to net-zero emissions in vehicle transport, these larger vessels will help meet increasing customer demand for sustainable logistics. Their design will integrate enhanced ramp strength and increased capacity for high-and-heavy cargo, ensuring readiness for future global transport needs.
Bunkering Implications
With the integration of dual-fuel methanol engines, these vessels align with the growing trend in alternative fuel adoption within the maritime industry. The use of methanol as a marine fuel has gained traction due to its lower carbon emissions and potential for green methanol production from renewable sources. The expansion of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s methanol-capable fleet signals an increasing demand for methanol bunkering infrastructure at key global ports.
Delivery Timeline and Industry Impact
The first Shaper Class vessels are expected to be delivered in the second half of 2026, with the larger, upsized versions set to enter service in late 2027. These vessels will not only mark a milestone for Wallenius Wilhelmsen but also reinforce the maritime industry‘s shift towards cleaner propulsion technologies, influencing bunkering strategies and infrastructure development worldwide.
About Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Wallenius Wilhelmsen is a leading provider of RoRo shipping and vehicle logistics, transporting cars, trucks, rolling equipment, and breakbulk globally. The company operates 127 vessels across 32 trade routes covering six continents, along with a global inland distribution network, 77 processing centers, and 13 marine terminals. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, the company employs 7,500 people across 29 countries.
About Deltamarin
Deltamarin Group provides ship design, offshore engineering, and construction support for the marine and offshore industries worldwide. The company offers consulting, design, and engineering services, as well as procurement, construction, and installation support. Deltamarin employs approximately 400 experts in Europe and Asia and is part of China Merchants Group.
Source Deltamarin