Latest news with #WalleniusWilhelmsen
Hamilton Spectator
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Delta terminal upgrades complete, expanding capacity for auto trade at the Port of Vancouver
Vancouver, B.C., July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Wallenius Wilhelmsen are pleased to announce the completion of the terminal upgrades as part of the Annacis Auto Terminal Optimization Project in Delta, British Columbia. Construction, which began in 2022, involved consolidating two existing automobile terminals—Annacis Auto Terminal and Richmond Auto Terminal—into a single facility at the Annacis Auto Terminal. The improvements will allow the terminal to handle up to 480,000 vehicles annually (36% increase in capacity). The project includes the creation of 60 rail car spots through the expansion of two existing terminal rail yards, a new vehicle processing building, along with the installation of eight electric vehicle charging stations. Additionally, the project frees up valuable industrial land for other trade-enabling activities in the future—bolstering further economic growth in the region. Operated by Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the Annacis Auto Terminal serves more than ten of the world's top auto manufacturers. Canadian auto sales saw an 8% increase in 2024, due to strong sales momentum in the first half of the year, steady production and inventory levels, easing interest rates, and dealership incentives. The Port of Vancouver helped Canadians access the cars they need, importing almost 470,000 vehicles in 2024—surpassing 2023 volumes by 3% and setting an all-time record for the sector. The project is funded by the Government of Canada through the National Trade Corridors Fund, the port authority, and Wallenius Wilhelmsen. It is one of the nearly 40 infrastructure projects proposed as part of the Greater Vancouver Gateway 2030 strategy to support national, provincial, regional, and local benefits. Learn more about it and other work being done in collaboration with industry and government to support trade through the gateway at . Quotes ' Last year marked a record year for auto trade through the Port of Vancouver, and the completion of these on-terminal works is a significant step forward in ensuring we are well-positioned to continue enabling Canada's auto trade through the port. We would like to thank our terminal operator— Wallenius Wilhelmsen —an d the Government of Canada for their partnership in successfully reaching this milestone on this important project. ' – Jennifer Natland, Vice-President, Properties & Environment for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. ' Consumers, workers, and small businesses benefit from efficient and reliable supply chains. By improving the efficiency of cargo movement at the Annacis Auto Terminal, we are supporting the growth of our economy and ensuring that Canadian businesses are competitive on the national and global stage. This will make life cost less for Canadians and British Columbians. ' – The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade ' We're proud to mark the successful completion of the Annacis Auto Terminal Optimization Project. As terminal operators, we've worked closely with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and project partners to ensure the improvements not only enhance operational efficiency but also support a safer, more sustainable, and customer-focused facility. The project has modernized key areas of the terminal and added dedicated infrastructure that will improve flow and support future growth. We're confident that the enhancements will benefit our customers and partners well into the future. ' – Timothy McGee, VP Canada Operations, Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
USTR Eases Port Fees for Foreign Vehicle Carriers, Scraps LNG Export Mandate
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is again softening more of the fees it initially slapped on international vessels docking at U.S. ports. On Friday, the USTR proposed revisions that would reduce port fees for non-U.S. car carriers like Wallenius Wilhelmsen and ease restrictions on liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers. The new rules would scrap the requirement that American LNG be transported on domestically built vessels, relieving pressure on some U.S. exporters. More from Sourcing Journal Hapag-Lloyd Bookings Double on China-US Route in Weeks After Tariff Truce Panama Canal Sees Post-Drought Spike in Container Shipping Transits LA, Long Beach Ports Brace for Potential Record-Breaking Summer Surge Under the revisions, ships of pure car and truck carriers calling at U.S. ports will be charged $14 per metric ton, down from the previously proposed $150 per car equivalent unit. With the new structure, the port fees for a 5,000 CEU car carrier—with a net tonnage of about 15,000 metric tons—would drop from $750,000 to $210,000. The USTR said in a 10-page notice that the modification was 'appropriate to address administrability and in light of the potential for fee evasion.' Additionally, LNG exporters will no longer have to commit to moving 1 percent of exports on U.S.-built ships by 2029 'in order to allay concerns about the provision's impact on the U.S. LNG sector,' the notice read. That change eliminates a provision which would have allowed for the suspension of LNG export licenses, if not compliant. The U.S. LNG industry was rattled the initial plan, with Charlie Riedl, the executive director for the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas (CLNG), calling the requirement 'simply not feasible' in an April statement. No U.S.-built ships are currently capable of carrying LNG. Although these specific penalties weren't exclusively targeting Chinese-built ships, the duties are an extension of the USTR's Section 301 investigation into China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors. The office determined in January that China had an 'unreasonable' dominance over the industries, largely on allegations that state-owned and state-subsidized resources increase foreign dependence on the country and harm global competition. The public comment period for the proposed modifications has begun and will run through July 7. Fees are expected to go into effect Oct. 14. In April, the USTR pared back its first proposal to impose port docking fees on Chinese container ships after hearing significant backlash from American industries and global shipping firms alike. That proposal called for vessels operated by Chinese companies to pay up to $1 million per port call, while operators of ships built in China would have to pay as much as a $1.5 million fee per port call. That proposal was amended to benefit carriers leveraging non-Chinese ships, and now calls for fees based on net tonnage (starting at $50 per net ton) and number of containers carried. For the most part, ocean carriers have indicated that they will be able to skirt the current fees. Companies like Maersk, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd have said that their fleets will not incur any additional costs, as they will not deploy any Chinese-built ships to U.S. ports after the Oct. 25 deadline. Chinese carriers Cosco Shipping and subsidiary Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) will have to work around the fees by replacing ships on U.S. trade lanes with fee-exempt ships operated by their Ocean Alliance vessel-sharing partners, including CMA CGM and Evergreen. The carriers could also opt to sail more fee-exempt ships below 4,000 TEUs. Ahead of Wednesday's tariff truce between the U.S. and China, a Chinese official took a shot at the port fees during a shipping conference in Athens. Fu Xuyin, vice minister at China's ministry of transport, called the port fees and tariffs a 'selective implementation of discriminatory measures.' 'Port fees and tariffs…seriously disrupt the world economic and trade order and cause severe challenges the shipping industry,' Fu added at an international conference co-organized by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS). Despite the fees in place, it doesn't appear that many of the major carriers have been completely deterred from placing orders for Chinese ships since the first USTR proposal back in February. Based on analysis on data from Clarksons, between Feb. 21 and June 8, 151 out of 343 newbuilding orders were placed by shipowners in Chinese yards. In terms of 'compensated gross tonnage,' a measure of work required to build a ship, Chinese shipbuilding won 48 percent of newbuild orders in the period while 52 percent went to yards in other countries. Shipbuilding orders have slid in the first five months of 2025 compared to the record pace of 2024, with Clarksons data saying that total orders were down 55 percent. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Fashion Network
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- Fashion Network
Vehicle carriers seek relief from broad US port fees
Operators of hulking car carriers are seeking relief from the U.S. Trade Representative's surprise plan to levy port fees on all foreign-built ships in that segment, including 20 vessels that guarantee transport for the U.S. military during a war or national emergency, three sources told Reuters. USTR announced the fees on April 17 as part of an ongoing effort to hit certain China-linked ships calling at U.S. ports with fees that would fund a domestic shipbuilding revival and counter China's dominance on the high seas. The fees sent a shockwave through the vehicle carrier industry, because they went beyond targeting China-built and China-owned ships. The fees on vehicle carriers are so broad that they would hit the 20 U.S.-flagged and U.S.-crewed vehicle carriers admitted to the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP) that supports Washington's military readiness, according to two attorneys, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisal. The fees also would heap massive costs on U.S. automakers already hurt by U.S. President Donald Trump 's tariff policies. The levies were not mentioned in the original USTR port fee proposal from February, so unlike operators of other vessels, vessel carriers had no opportunity to give feedback. "The fee on the car carriers came from nowhere," one of the attorneys said. Both said the USTR overreached because the fees are levied on ships made in countries that were not part of the Biden administration's fast-track investigation that found China unfairly dominates the global maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors. The World Shipping Council (WSC), whose members include Swedish vehicle transporter Wallenius Wilhelmsen, warned on April 18 that the fees would hit almost every car carrier and have unintended consequences. WSC declined to comment further. The attorneys and one industry group say they have requested meetings with USTR to discuss their concerns. USTR did not immediately comment on whether the body would meet with vessel carrier representatives. The USTR plans plans to charge foreign-built vehicle carriers $150 for every car the ship has capacity to carry, beginning on October 14. That fee would be $900,000 for a ship that transports 6,000 cars. Vehicle carriers are vital to U.S. military readiness because they can transport large equipment such as tanks, aircraft and helicopters. Companies with ships in the MSP include Florida-based American Roll-On, Roll-Off Carrier Group, a U.S.-flag operator of vehicle carriers that is part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Group. New York-based Liberty Global Logistics, is another provider. Spokespeople for ARC and Liberty did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Wallenius Wilhelmsen declined to comment. A spokesman for Maersk Line Ltd, the U.S. arm of the Danish container shipping giant which is also part of the MSP, said it is reviewing the most recent information from USTR and preparing for a range of scenarios. There are 1,466 vehicle carriers in operation, according to data from Alphaliner. Just 39 of those ships were built in the United States, Alphaliner said.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Wallenius Wilhelmsen secures ro-ro contract extension, renewal worth more than $2B
Roll-on/roll-off carrier Wallenius Wilhelmsen announced separate contract changes worth more than $2 billion. The Oslo, Norway-based company (OTC: WAWIF) said it has signed a contract renewal with a European automotive manufacturer. The five-year agreement, valued at $380 million, is set to commence on Tuesday. In a separate development, the carrier announced a 10-year contract extension with an automotive OEM. Wallenius did not disclose the identity of either company. An OEM typically produces scope of services provided by Wallenius Wilhelmsen under these agreements is comprehensive and includes receiving vehicles, end-of-line services, accessory installation, delivery management, vehicle distribution and storage, and digital supply chain insights. Wallenius Wilhelmsen offers short-sea and deep-sea ocean services under separate agreements. The long-term, multiproduct contracts 'provide seamless integration, flexibility for both parties, and room for innovative collaborations to enhance digital value chain solutions,' said John Felitto, executive vice president and chief operating officer of logistics services at Wallenius Wilhelmsen, in a release. Looking to the future of the contract renewal, the parties expressed their intention to expand the partnership further. The shared vision includes broadening the contract's scope to encompass ocean services, creating a more comprehensive and integrated strategy. This approach aims to streamline processes and leverage advanced digital solutions to future-proof operations.'The contract has a solid land-based scope and is one of our largest,' Felitto said. 'It is exciting to enhance a partnership that already prioritizes comprehensive integration and digital transformation at its core.' The extended contract, starting in April 2027, has an estimated gross revenue of $2 billion, the carrier said. Find more articles by Stuart Chirls blocks sale of Panama Canal shipping terminals to US investor: Reports Port of Savannah sets record container, rail and truck moves in February Trump tariff fears plague ocean container ratesTrade groups, businesses speak to both sides of proposed US port fees The post Wallenius Wilhelmsen secures ro-ro contract extension, renewal worth more than $2B appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Deltamarin to design Wallenius Wilhelmsen's upsized Shaper Class PCTCs
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. "Deltamarin to design Wallenius Wilhelmsen's upsized Shaper Class PCTCs" was originally created and published by Ship Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
