Wallenius Wilhelmsen has signed a two-year deal with Equinor for Norwegian-produced, ISCC EU-certified bio-methanol to fuel its RoRo fleet in Antwerp and Zeebrugge. This strategic partnership secures high-integrity renewable fuel to achieve a 95% CO2 reduction, marking a critical step toward the company’s 2027 net-zero end-to-end service goal.
Oslo, Norway | March 11, 2026 – In a significant move for the decarbonization of the RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) shipping sector, Wallenius Wilhelmsen has officially entered into a two-year fuel supply agreement with energy giant Equinor. The contract secures a steady stream of Norwegian-produced, mass-balanced bio-methanol, aimed at powering Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s growing fleet of methanol-capable vessels.
The partnership represents a critical bridge between current pilot projects and the company’s goal of offering a net-zero end-to-end service by 2027.
Decarbonizing the Ocean: The Logistics of the Deal
The agreement focuses on the supply of mass-balanced bio-methanol, a fuel certified under the ISCC EU (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) standards. According to the partners, this specific fuel grade is capable of reducing CO_2 emissions by up to 95% compared to conventional marine fuels.
The fuel will be produced domestically in Norway and delivered to Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s vessels at two of Europe’s most critical maritime hubs: Antwerp and Zeebrugge. This strategic bunkering placement ensures that the company’s methanol-ready fleet can maintain its scheduled trade routes while significantly lowering its carbon footprint.
Leadership Perspectives: From Ambition to Execution
The leadership of both organizations emphasized that this deal is less about experimentation and more about securing the scale necessary for commercial viability.
Xavier Leroi, Chief Operating Officer Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, highlighted the operational necessity of the deal:
“Signing this deal with Equinor marks an important milestone for us at Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Securing low-carbon bio-methanol supports the decarbonization of our ocean operations, while strengthening our ability to deliver lower emission end-to-end logistics for customers. Partnerships like this are essential to scaling alternative fuels and moving from ambition to execution.”
For Equinor, the deal solidifies its position as a primary supplier for the maritime industry’s energy transition. Alex Grant, Senior Vice President of Crude, Products, and Liquids at Equinor, noted the rising demand:
“We continue to see increasing interest in bio-methanol as a practical, scalable solution for decarbonization of shipping. This partnership with Wallenius Wilhelmsen marks a substantial step forward in bringing Equinor’s bio-based methanol to the growing marine segment for low carbon fuels. Equinor has previously signed supply agreements for bio-methanol with Maersk and NCL, and we are progressing several leads for both bio and conventional methanol supply agreements.”
The “Demand Signal” Strategy
A recurring theme in the maritime energy transition is the “chicken and egg” dilemma: producers won’t scale without buyers, and buyers won’t invest in ships without fuel. Christos Chryssakis, Vice President of Energy and Regulations at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, explained how this contract breaks that cycle.
“Long-term agreements help create the demand signals fuel producers need to invest and scale production,” Chryssakis stated. He noted that such deals strengthen the supply chain and accelerate the transition from isolated pilot projects to industry-wide commercial deployment.
The 2026 Bio-Methanol Market: At a Glance
The maritime bio-methanol landscape has reached a critical tipping point in 2026, driven by the 100% phase-in of the EU ETS. With over 450 methanol-capable vessels now either in operation or on the global order book, the industry has transitioned from pilot tests to massive commercial scaling.
While current bio-methanol prices in the ARA region hover between €1,200 and €1,350 per tonne, these costs are increasingly offset by the avoidance of carbon penalties. Supply infrastructure is rapidly expanding to meet this demand, with global capacity projected to exceed 2 million metric tons by 2027. Strategic, multi-year supply deals, like the Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Equinor partnership, are now the industry standard for securing ISCC EU-certified fuel.
The Industry Titans
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Group
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Group, A global powerhouse in vehicle logistics, the group specializes in RoRo shipping, transporting cars, trucks, and heavy breakbulk equipment.
- Fleet & Reach: Operates approximately 125 vessels across 15 trade routes.
- Infrastructure: Manages 66 processing centers and seven marine terminals.
- Workforce: Headquartered in Oslo, the company employs 9,500 people across 28 countries.
Equinor
Formerly known as Statoil, Equinor is an international energy company transitioning from a traditional oil and gas focus to a broad energy portfolio including wind and solar.
- Market Position: The largest operator in Norway and a dominant force in offshore energy globally.
- Scale: Employs 20,000 people with operations in over 30 countries across six continents.
- Portfolio: Beyond its massive Norwegian Continental Shelf operations, it is a major global trader in crude oil and natural gas.
Source: Equinor | Wallenius Wilhelmsen