Wallenius Marine has christened the first vessel built using its Sleipner design concept as it prepares to deliver the Future Way Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) to Volkswagen. 

Designed with Danish ship design company Knud E. Hansen, the Sleipner concept uses a more aerodynamically shaped hull to eliminate the need for ballast water and increase the energy efficiency of the vessel. 

Knud E. Hansen’s managing director Finn Wollesen said: “A distinctive feature is that the ship, thanks to its innovative design, can cross the Atlantic without ballast water in loaded condition. 

“This both reduces the risk of spreading invasive species and makes the vessel lighter, leading to lower fuel consumption.” 

Future Way is a 6,500 car capacity PCTC and one of two car carriers set to be delivered by Wallenius Marine to Volkswagen for use on the automotive manufacturer’s Europe to North America route. 

In addition to using a more efficient design, the 200m long vessel is also equipped with engines from MAN Energy Solutions designed to produce less CO2 emissions and fewer nitrogen oxides, soot particles, and sulphur oxides.