Finnish marine engineering company Deltamarin has been selected to design and engineer an upsized version of the Shaper Class pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) for Norwegian shipping firm Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

The vessels, set to be built at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Jiangsu), will feature dual-fuel engines capable of operating on methanol.

Under the contract, Deltamarin will provide design services for six of the 14 vessels currently on order.

The ships will be enlarged from 9,300 car equivalent units (CEUs) to approximately 12,100 CEUs, making them among the largest PCTCs ever built, according to the company.

The expansion aligns with Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s goal of reducing the overall cost of its net-zero emissions strategy.

Deltamarin’s scope of work includes both basic and detailed design, with an emphasis on optimising fuel efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

The upsized vessels will retain key features of the Shaper Class, including dual-fuel engines capable of operating on methanol, which is expected to lower fuel consumption and emissions compared to existing fleet models.

Designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable transport solutions, the ships will incorporate features aimed at minimising emissions throughout the transport process.

They will also be built with enhanced ramp strength and increased capacity for high-and-heavy cargo to meet the needs of global logistics.

The first Shaper Class vessels are planned to be delivered in the second half of next year, with the upsized versions expected to enter service by late 2027.

Last year, Swedish shipping company Sirius Shipping placed an order for four 7,999 deadweight tonnage (dwt) oil/chemical tankers with China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, Dingheng.

These Evolution 8k hybrid series tankers will feature advanced propulsion systems and incorporate cutting-edge technology to meet future regulatory requirements.