WWLs orders worlds largest ro-ros

WWL’s owners Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA of Norway and Wallenius Lines of Sweden have ordered four of the world’s largest ro-ro vessels from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ (MHI) Nagasaki yard in Japan for delivery in 2011 and 2012. The new ships will service Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics and have a carrying capacity of 138,000 m3, close to 10% more than the WW/OW partnership’s most recent ro-ro carriers.

Designed in collaboration with MHI, the new state-of-the-art vessels have been designed to be very flexible and safe in the way they carry high and heavy rollable cargoes, static non-containerised (NCC) equipment and cars. High ramp capacity, increased deck strength and height, low fuel consumption and good transportation economy per unit of cargo carried are some of the design features that will make them among the safest, most versatile and environmentally-friendly ships afloat when they begin service in less than four years time.

Great focus has been placed on the ships’ environmental aspects and a new hull design will reduce fuel oil consumption and exhaust gas emissions. Innovative features include a system whereby the energy derived from the exhaust gases will drive the entire ships’ energy needs at sea, and an advanced ballast treatment system to reduce harmful transfer of micro-organisms between different ecosystems.

Ingar Skaug, group chief executive, Wilh.Wilhelmsen, said: “This will further strengthen our unique position in the market and also contribute to our continuous need to expand the fleet.” Lone Fonss Schroeder, president Wallenius Lines, added: “This order will add further capacity to satisfy our customers need and secure our position in emerging markets.” In order to ensure new and modern tonnage, WW and OW are pursuing an extensive newbuilding programme which currently comprises some 43 vessels to be delivered up to 2012.