Wallenius Wilhelmsen has officially taken delivery of the "Arctic Tern," the first vessel in the Shaper Class series. Equipped with dual-fuel engines and methanol-ready capabilities, the vessel will be operated through EUKOR Car Carriers, a shipping company jointly owned by Hyundai Motor Group and Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

Xavier Leroi, Chief Operating Officer of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Shipping Services and CEO of EUKOR, stated: "As the first vessel in our new Shaper Class series, the Arctic Tern embodies our commitment to investing in the future of shipping. These vessels enhance our ability to provide reliable and efficient services to our customers while supporting the transition to lower-emission operations. They are also a key component of our goal to deliver net-zero end-to-end services by 2027."

The Shaper Class vessels are designed with greater cargo capacity, higher fuel efficiency, and operational flexibility. Following delivery, the Arctic Tern will almost immediately enter service on the Asia-to-Europe route and is expected to complete its first methanol bunkering shortly after delivery, marking a significant step in Wallenius Wilhelmsen's decarbonization journey.

The delivery of the Arctic Tern also inaugurates a new naming tradition for the Shaper Class series. The vessels in this series are named after long-distance migratory birds worldwide, with the first vessel named after the Arctic tern—the species with the longest migration distance on Earth, symbolizing endurance, adaptability, and global connectivity.

The project was completed through multi-party collaboration: Wallenius Marine was responsible for shipyard site management and delivery preparation, while Wilhelmsen Ship Management handled commercial operational readiness and post-delivery vessel management. Håkon Lenz, President and CEO of Wilhelmsen Ship Management, said: "The Arctic Tern and the Shaper Class set a new benchmark for shipping, and we aim to set the same benchmark in vessel management."

In addition to its dual-fuel capability, the Arctic Tern integrates multiple technologies to enhance operational performance, efficiency, and onboard experience, making it a vital component of Wallenius Wilhelmsen's fleet modernization and its efforts to meet customer and regulatory requirements.