Our journey towards truly sustainable shipping never ends and the 2020s will be dominated by the Oceanbird concept, developed by Wallenius Marine, SSPA and KTH. Truly sustainable shipping should not leave a negative mark on the environment or on humans, and provide a reasonable economic return. Environmental challenges must be solved at the source without causing new problems, what we call upstream solutions. To achieve our goal of zero emissions, we have the roadmap ZERO (Zero Emission RoRo) as well as extensive work with digitization, sustaintech and strategic partnerships.
2020
Several cold lay-ups
WWO decides to put several vessels in cold lay-ups during the year due to the corona pandemic: ELEKTRA, DON QUIJOTE, UNDINE, DON CARLOS, MANON, DON PASQUALE.
s/s SALTSJÖN regains its former name
S/S SALTSJÖN has regained the name S/S BJÖRKFJÄRDEN, which was her name from the early 1970s until 1994.
Empty offices but full activity in wPCC
The wPCC team at Wallenius Marine, KTH and SSPA work hard to reach the goal of emission free ships. What for so long seemed to be a long-term vision, is now beginning to take shape. The design will be ready to order in the end of 2021.
The third HERO is delivered
In September the third HERO–vessel, m/v TANNHAUSER, was proudly delivered by Tianjin Xingang Shipbuilding. m/v TANNHAUSER is added to the WWO fleet.
Oceanbird is presented to the world
On 10 September, Wallenius Marine’s wind-powered ship is presented to the world at a global press conference for journalists and influencers. The research project wPCC has developed the commercial concept Oceanbird. The name associate with the wind power of birds (the wind carries the ship across the ocean), clean energy and also gives a hint as to which routes that are relevant. And the exposure in media after the launch was enormous. The astronomical number 3.5 billion people were able to see Oceanbird in their social feeds.
50 years since founder Olof Wallenius’ passing
On November 2 1970, founder of Rederi AB Soya Olof Wallenius passes away at the age of 68. For 36 years he built an impressive shipping line, starting with transporting soya oil along the coast of Sweden, but rapidly developed into transport of petroleum products. During the1940s, he built the world’s largest tanker ships and he also bought his first dry-cargo ship which he named m/s RIGOLETTO. After this, all dry-cargo ships were named after famous operas. During the 1950s, car transports from Europe to the US took off and bulk cargo was returned to Europe. This experience was important when Olof Wallenius ordered the first purpose-built car carriers in the 1960s – which in turn laid the foundation for the success of Wallenius Lines. Olof Wallenius founded a true family business. At his passing, daughter Margareta Wallenius-Kleberg and her husband John took over the activities. Today, the third generation, Jonas Kleberg, runs the business.
2021
Investment in hull cleaning
Wallenius invests in leading hull cleaning provider in Singapore C-Leanship, in a joint venture with Saab.
WWO to order Oceanbird
On February 17, 2021, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean announced that they will be the first to order an Oceanbird vessel. At a live webcast, commented by the Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, WWO informed about their sustainability initiative with the new RoRo vessel, which they will call Orcelle Wind.
All vessels returned from cold lay-up
In March, after almost a year in cold lay-up, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean announced that all vessels are reactivated. In total, Wallenius Wilhelmsen put 16 vessels in cold lay-up due to COVID-19 and five of them were manned by Wallenius Marine.
WALLENIUS SOL adds new vessel to fleet
WALLENIUS SOL expands its service with a sixth vessel: the M/V TransFighter. The vessel is deployed in a bi-weekly service on the Oulu – Kokkola – Antwerp – Zeebrugge leg.
Technical ship management on M/S VISBY
In summer, Wallenius Marine took over the technical ship management on RoPax vessel M/S VISBY for traffic between France and Ireland. This started a longer collaboration between Wallenius Marine and Rederi AB Gotland.
Last HERO vessel delivered
On October 19, the fourth and last HERO vessel M/V NABUCCO is delivered by Tianjin Xingang Shipbuilding.
AlfaWall Oceanbird forms
On December 1st, Niclas Dahl from Alfa Laval takes the position as Managing Director of AlfaWall Oceanbird and the entire joint venture is formed.
The Oceanbird wins Wind Propulsion Innovation Award 2021
The award was instituted to promote wind-powered shipping during COP26, by the International Windship Association (IWSA).
The UECC takes delivery of the world’s first dual-fuel LNG battery hybrid PCTC
It will provide significant gains in energy efficiency and emissions reduction as it enters service in shortsea provider UECC’s fleet.
Naming Ceremony for M/V NABUCCO
In December, the naming ceremony for HERO vessel M/V NABUCCO is held in Gothenburg by Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean and distributed digitally for all partners to participate. Godparent is customer Northvolt, European supplier of sustainable battery cells and systems, represented by CEO Peter Carlsson and COO Paolo Cerruti.