Wallenius Wilhelmsen has taken delivery of Arctic Tern, the first vessel in its new Shaper Class series, with the ship set to enter service on the Asia–Europe route almost immediately following handover.

The vessel, which features dual-fuel capability and a methanol-ready design, will be deployed through EUKOR Car Carriers, the jointly owned shipping line of Hyundai Motor Group and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Arctic Tern is expected to complete its first methanol bunkering operation shortly after delivery.

Xavier Leroi, COO Shipping Services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen and CEO of EUKOR Car Carriers, stated: "As the first vessel in our new Shaper Class series, Arctic Tern reflects our commitment to investing in the future of shipping. These vessels strengthen our ability to deliver reliable and efficient services to customers while supporting the transition towards lower-emission operations. They are also a critical building block in our ambition to offer net-zero end-to-end services as early as 2027."

The Shaper Class vessels are designed to offer greater cargo transport capacity, as well as improved fuel efficiency and operational performance compared with earlier tonnage.

A collaborative build

The project involved contributions from several entities within the broader Wallenius and Wilhelmsen group. Wallenius Marine oversaw site management and delivery readiness at the shipyard, while Wilhelmsen Ship Management prepared the vessel for commercial operation and will assume responsibility for ongoing ship management.

Håkon Lenz, President and CEO of Wilhelmsen Ship Management, commented: "With Arctic Tern and the Shaper Class, Wallenius Wilhelmsen is setting a new benchmark in shipping. We aim to set the same benchmark in ship management. These vessels represent cutting-edge maritime technology, and managing them safely and efficiently will require the full strength of our technical expertise, operational capabilities, and highly skilled crews."

Johan Mattsson, CEO of Wallenius Marine, remarked: "The Shaper Class program is an impressive and highly complex newbuild undertaking. Coordinating a project of this scale requires close collaboration, technical expertise and effective stakeholder management throughout every phase of construction. Arctic Tern is the result of strong collaboration and commitment between all parties involved."

Leroi added: "Our collaboration has been at the heart of this project from the very beginning. Through the Shaper Class vessels, the relationship between Wallenius and Wilhelmsen has grown even stronger, enabling us to deliver solutions that support our customers today while helping to advance a more sustainable future for shipping."

A new naming tradition

Arctic Tern also marks the introduction of a new naming convention for the Shaper Class series. Future vessels in the class are to be named after birds known for long-distance migration, with the Arctic tern — a seabird that undertakes the longest migration of any species on Earth — chosen for the first vessel. The company says the naming tradition is intended to reflect themes of endurance, adaptability and global connectivity.