Wallenius Marine AB is a Swedish based, family owned company with over 80 years of experience that has designed and built more than 70 vessels since the mid 90’s with a strong focus on sustainable shipping.
The Oceanbird vessel is being developed by Wallenius Marine AB and a Swedish consortium including KTH Centre for Naval Architecture, maritime technology developer SSPA while the Swedish Transport Administration has agreed funding for the project through to 2022.
The 200m long, 32,000t Oceanbird wind-powered car carrier (wPCC) can carry 7,000 vehicles, with retractable 80m high wings made of a blend of metal and composite which can be lowered in high winds. The vessel is designed for an average speed of 10knots under sail power alone and on favourable routes will reduce emissions by up to 90%.
Estimated travel time across the Atlantic is 12 days, compared with about seven for fuel-powered car carriers. Shipping lines will be able to order a wPCC at the end of 2021 with the first operational vessel slated for 2024.
