Norwegian car carrier operator Wallenius Wilhelmsen has added four more optional vessels to its series of methanol dual-fuel and ammonia-ready newbuildings in China.
The Oslo-listed company has secured options for four more 9,300 ceu vessels at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, adding to the existing four optional and eight firm newbuilds booked at the yard.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen, which operates around 125 ships, said the new optional units have earlier delivery slots compared to the options already held, but noted that the new options do not necessarily represent an increased ambition for the current newbuilding programme.
The 9,300 ceu vessels of the so-called Shaper Class will start delivering in mid-2026 and be able to run on methanol while being ready for conversion to ammonia once the fuel is available.