Wallenius Wilhelmsen to Reactivate Ships from Cold Lay-Up

Norwegian ro-ro shipping company Wallenius Wilhelmsen says it will be returning ships from cold lay-up as market conditions improve.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Wallenius Wilhelmsen has put a total 16 ships into cold lay-up and scrapped another four in the company’s 123-ship fleet. Now nine of those are now expected to return to service.

“While the pandemic is still very much part of our reality, reduced capacity and rising rates in the charter market have led to the decision to bring up to nine of our vessels back into service so we can continue to deliver competitive solutions for our customers,” the company said in a statement.

Plans are to reactivate the vessels during the first quarter of the year.

“Flexibility in the fleet has been a core strategic choice since the inception of Wallenius Wilhelmsen, ensuring our ability to adjust the fleet to our needs and shifting market demand,” said Craig Jasienski, CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

The company has also reaffirmed its commitment to take delivery of its fourth and final HERO-class vessel, a next-generation roll-on/roll-off carrier, later this year.

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