Volkswagen adds four LNG-powered car carrier newbuilds

Long-term agreements have been signed with shipowners Wallenius Marine and SFL Corporation for the use of the four new car carriers on the North Atlantic route.

The four new LNG-fuelled car carriers, built by an unnamed Chinese shipyard, each have a capacity of around 7,000 car equivalent unit, will be powered by 13,300 kw dual-fuel engines from MAN Energy Solutions, are expecting to start service by the end of 2023.

“In line with the group’s commitment to e-mobility and climate-neutral production, the LNG fleet used by Logistics represents a major contribution to making Volkswagen net carbon neutral by 2050,” said Simon Motter, Head of Volkswagen Group Logistics.

“With these four additional LNG ships, Group Logistics is continuing its commitment to climate protection and pursuing the strategy of low-emission sea transport that was decided in 2016. The new ships will also permit the use of non-fossil fuels in the future, thus reducing CO2 emissions even further.”