Wallenius Wilhelmsen has officially taken delivery of Arctic Tern, the pioneering, methanol-ready vessel in its new Shaper Class series, to be deployed via its subsidiary EUKOR Car Carriers on the Asia-Europe trade lane. This milestone delivery marks a critical step toward the company’s 2027 net-zero target, with the state-of-the-art dual-fuel car carrier scheduled to complete its maiden green methanol bunkering operation shortly.
Oslo, Norway | July 9,2026 – Global RoRo heavyweight Wallenius Wilhelmsen has officially taken delivery of the Arctic Tern, the pioneering vessel in its highly anticipated Shaper Class fleet renewal program. The dual-fuel, methanol-ready vessel represents a crucial step forward in the group’s aggressive strategy to roll out net-zero, end-to-end logistics services by 2027.
The vessel will immediately be deployed under EUKOR Car Carriers, the joint venture shipping line operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group, and is scheduled to enter service on the high-volume Asia-to-Europe trade lane. In a move closely watched by the alternative fuels sector, the Arctic Tern is slated to undergo its first methanol bunkering operation shortly after delivery.
Vessel Profile: Arctic Tern
| Specification | Details |
| Vessel Class | Shaper Class (First of Series) |
| Operator | EUKOR Car Carriers (Wallenius Wilhelmsen / Hyundai Motor Group JV) |
| Engine Type | Dual-Fuel / Methanol-Ready |
| Trade Route | Asia – Europe Corridor |
| Target Net-Zero Service | 2027 |
Technical Edge: Scaling the Methanol Transition
For the car carrier segment, which faces intense pressure from global automotive manufacturers to slash Scope 3 emissions, the Shaper Class represents a significant upgrade in fleet efficiency and cargo flexibility.
The Arctic Tern’s propulsion architecture is designed to handle conventional fuels while being fully optimized for a swift transition to green methanol as supply chains mature.
“These vessels strengthen our ability to deliver reliable and efficient services to customers while supporting the transition towards lower-emission operations,” said Xavier Leroi, COO of Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers. “They are also a critical building block in our ambition to offer net-zero end-to-end services as early as 2027.“
By utilizing a dual-fuel setup, Wallenius Wilhelmsen hedges its operational risks against current alternative fuel supply bottlenecks, while ensuring the vessel remains compliant with tightening FuelEU Maritime and IMO carbon intensity regulations throughout its lifespan.
A Synergy of Maritime Giants
The delivery of the Arctic Tern is the result of deep coordination between the two legacy arms of the joint venture, Wallenius and Wilhelmsen, leveraging specialized internal divisions to execute the complex newbuild program:
- Wallenius Marine spearheaded the site management, technical supervision, and shipyard delivery readiness during the construction phase.
- Wilhelmsen Ship Management managed the commercial preparation and has assumed full technical ship management of the vessel post-delivery.
Elevating Ship Management Standards
Managing a highly automated, dual-fuel car carrier of this scale requires specialized crew training and updated safety protocols, particularly regarding low-flashpoint alternative fuels like methanol.
“With Arctic Tern and the Shaper Class, Wallenius Wilhelmsen is setting a new benchmark in shipping. We aim to set the same benchmark in ship management,” stated Håkon Lenz, President and CEO of Wilhelmsen Ship Management. “These vessels represent cutting-edge maritime technology, and managing them safely and efficiently will require the full strength of our technical expertise.”
Johan Mattsson, CEO of Wallenius Marine, highlighted the complexity of the project “The Shaper Class program is an impressive and highly complex newbuild undertaking, Coordinating a project of this scale requires close collaboration, technical expertise, and effective stakeholder management throughout every phase of construction.“
Naming the Future of Fleet Endurance
The delivery of the Arctic Tern also inaugurates a new naming convention for the Shaper Class, with subsequent vessels set to be named after migratory birds.
Known for undertaking the longest migration of any animal on Earth, the Arctic tern travels from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back annually. The choice of namesake symbolizes global connectivity, long-range endurance, and the adaptability required to navigate the shipping industry’s decarbonization transition.
About Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Wallenius Wilhelmsen is a market leader in roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping and vehicle logistics, managing the distribution of cars, trucks, rolling equipment, and breakbulk to customers worldwide. The company operates approximately 125 vessels servicing 15 trade routes across six continents, supported by a global inland distribution network, 66 processing centers, and seven marine terminals.
Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, the Wallenius Wilhelmsen group employs 9,500 people across 28 countries worldwide.
Source: Wallenius Wilhelmsen