Olof Wallenius passes away quite unexpectedly. Wallenius Lines carries out the earlier decision to phase out the tanker business in favour of car carriers. A whole new vessel type is developed to make transportation of cars but also other rolling cargo more efficient. When small, efficient Japanese cars become even more popular during the oil crisis, Wallenius Lines is ready to deliver and for the first time Wallenius Lines carries more than 500,000 vehicles a year.
1970
Olof Wallenius passes away
Olof Wallenius passes away at the age of 68. His wife Signe and daughter Margareta decide together with the management team to continue to run the company. His son-in-law John Kleberg is appointed president of the company.
1972
Over 500,000 vehicles
Wallenius Lines carries more than 500,000 vehicles in one year for the first time ever.
Short-sea shipping phased out
Wallenius Lines phases out its North Sea and Baltic Sea traffic serviced by small RoRo vessels and concentrates entirely on transoceanic shipping.
1973
The last tanker
MT SOYA-BALTIC, once the world’s largest combined ore/oil carrier, is sold. The company now no longer operates any tankers.
1974
Bulk vessel with car hold
Car-shipping customers demand shipping in special and separate car holds. Wallenius Lines has major bulk cargo contracts for the USA and Far East traffic, and satisfies customer requirements by building bulk carriers with three separate car garages and four bulk holds.
MS OTELLO, and a year later, MS AIDA are delivered. They have the capacity to carry 45,000 tonnes of bulk cargo and 3,500 cars.
1975
The first PCC
MS DON JUAN and MS DON CARLOS, developed solely to carry cars by using the RoRo technique, are the company’s first PCC (Pure Car Carrier) car carriers. A year later, sister vessel MS DON CARLOS is delivered, and as they travel faster than their predecessors, they reduce transport times considerably.
The new vessels have 12 permanent decks and loading is performed via two ramps on the starboard side of the vessels. They can carry 4,900 cars, the company’s largest car carriers to date.
1977
First PCTC’s
Freight customers express interest in starting to ship heavy vehicles. Therefore, the PCTC (Pure Car Truck Carrier) type of vessel is developed, with hoistable cargo decks for flexible clearance, and reinforced truck decks to handle the heavier loads. The vessels are loaded using both a side and a stern ramp.
MS RIGOLETTO and MS TRAVIATA, with their 13 decks and 4,070-car capacity, are the first vessels delivered.
New part-owner in Wallenius Lines
Axel Johnson (Nordstjernan and Försäkrings AB Sirius) acquires 25 per cent of the company’s shares.
1978
Middle East traffic increases
Countries in the Middle East develop their infrastructures, leading to heavy demand for all kinds of construction equipment, trucks and cars. For a time, Wallenius carries half of all the RoRo cargoes between Europe and the Gulf.
Delivery of a new vessel
MS TOSCA is delivered. She has the capacity to carry 5,640 cars, or 3,490 cars and 360 trucks.
1979
Wallenius Lines places an order with Swedish shipyard Kockums for two giant car carriers, 6,200 cars and other cargo.