Wallenius Wilhelmsen's newly delivered Shaper Class vessel, the M/V Arctic Tern, successfully completed its initial green methanol bunkering operation at the Port of Shanghai. This event involved collaboration between EUKOR Car Carriers, SIPG Energy, and World Fuel. World Fuel facilitated the fuel supply and delivery for EUKOR Car Carriers, which is a joint venture between Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hyundai Motor Group, with SIPG Energy acting as the physical supplier.
This bunkering is a key milestone for Wallenius Wilhelmsen, as the M/V Arctic Tern is the first of 14 Shaper Class car carriers designed to operate on dual-fuel technology. Each vessel has a capacity of 9,300 car equivalent units (CCU), highlighting a substantial investment in more sustainable shipping solutions for the automotive logistics sector.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this development signals a growing trend towards alternative fuels in maritime transport, particularly within specialized segments like RoRo. While immediate rate impacts may not be evident, the increasing adoption of green methanol could lead to higher bunker costs, potentially influencing freight rates for automotive and high-and-heavy cargo in the long term. It also suggests a future where fuel availability and bunkering infrastructure for alternative fuels will become critical considerations for route planning and carrier selection, especially for shippers prioritizing sustainability in their supply chains.
