Wallenius Wilhelmsen plans world’s first full scale wind-powered RoRo ship

Press Release – Today, we announce our most ambitious sustainability initiative to date: The Orcelle Wind – a wind-powered Pure Car and Truck Carrier that will achieve up to 90% reduced emissions compared to today’s best vessels. Our goal is to have a design ready for contracting with a shipyard by mid-2022, and a finished vessel ready for the high seas by 2025.

The transoceanic shipping industry is the most carbon efficient mode of transport, yet it accounts for nearly 3% of global man-made GHG emissions, a share that is growing. Today, the industry has no viable substitute for carbon-based fuels.

“Since 2008, we have been able to reduce CO2 intensity by 33%, which is a significant step. But the journey towards zero emissions requires great strides forward.  We believe the Orcelle Wind is one of them,” said Craig Jasienski, CEO Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

Building on the Oceanbird concept developed by maritime consultancy Wallenius Marine, Wallenius Wilhelmsen will take the concept forward by applying its extensive knowledge from the RoRo  business, and conduct a comprehensive viability evaluation. 

There are many considerations that require attention before finalising the Orcelle Wind specification. The features listed below provide a good indication of what can be anticipated:

• Overall car capacity of 7,000 vehicles
• Ability to carry heavy machinery and breakbulk cargo, in addition to cars
• Length of around 220m and beam (width) of approximately 40m
• Speeds of 10-12kts under sail that can be increased with the supplemental power system

“Orcelle Wind will be our technical and operational testbed for zero emission innovation, where we can assess and develop various zero-emission fuels and technology,” said Erik Noeklebye, EVP and COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen. 

“We have the advantage of size and we have world-class customers, partners and employees.  It will take the dedicated collaboration of all to make such a bold initiative as the Orcelle Wind succeed.  More than just evaluating the concept, we are committed to making this a success,” said Craig Jasienski.

Read more and find pictures to download here: Orcelle Wind – introducing the world`s first wind-powered RoRo vessel – Wallenius Wilhelmsen

About Wallenius Wilhelmsen 

The Wallenius Wilhelmsen group (OEX: WAWI) is a market leader in RoRo shipping and vehicle logistics, transporting cars, trucks, rolling equipment and breakbulk around the world. The company operates around 130 vessels servicing 15 trade routes to six continents, and a global inland distribution network, 120 processing centres, and 11 marine terminals. The Wallenius Wilhelmsen group consists of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Solutions, EUKOR and ARC. The group is headquartered in Oslo, Norway with 8 700 employees in 29 countries worldwide.

Read more at walleniuswilhelmsen.com