WALLENIUS Wilhelmsen has signed with fellow Norwegian company, energy giant Equinor, for a two-year supply of mass-balanced bio-methanol.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen says the agreement marks a key development towards delivering a net-zero end-to-end pilot service for some of its customers from 2027, when delivery of the company’s dual-fuel Shaper class begins. The fuel will be produced in Norway and delivered to its vessels in Antwerp and Zeebrugge.
The mass-balanced bio-methanol is certified according to ISCC EU and will reduce CO2 emissions by 95%.
“Signing this deal with Equinor marks an important milestone for us at Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Securing low-carbon bio-methanol supports the decarbonisation of our ocean operations, while strengthening our ability to deliver lower emission end-to-end logistics for customers. Partnerships like this are essential to scaling alternative fuels and moving from ambition to execution,” Xavier Leroi, Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s chief operating officer Shipping Services, said.
Equinor’s Alex Grant, SVP Crude, Products and Liquids at Equinor, said the company continues to see increasing interest in bio-methanol as a practical, scalable solution for decarbonisation of shipping.
“This partnership with Wallenius Wilhelmsen marks a substantial step forward in bringing Equinor’s bio-based methanol to the growing marine segment for low carbon fuels. Equinor has previously signed supply agreements for bio-methanol with Maersk and Norwegian Cruise Line and we are progressing several leads for both bio and conventional methanol supply agreements,” Mr Grant said.
The agreement supports Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s ambition to deliver a net-zero end-to-end pilot service for some customers from 2027, by securing access to lower-emission fuels for its ocean operations. “Long-term agreements help create the demand signals fuel producers need to invest and scale production, strengthening the supply chain for alternative fuels and accelerating the transition from pilot projects to commercial deployment across the industry,” Christos Chryssakis, vice president Energy and Regulations at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, said.
Last week Wallenius Wilhelmsen announced it had renewed a contract with a global automotive distributor with an estimated net freight value of around USD 190 million. The contract duration is two years firm with a one-year mutual extension option and includes a fixed surcharge for multi-fuel use.
At the same time Wallenius Wilhelmsen announced it was suspending all Middle East services for the sake of the safety of crews, ships and customers’ cargo.
“We are continuously assessing the situation as it evolves,” Wallenius Wilhelmsen said. “We understand the challenges this may cause. Operations will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.”