2009
Troubled times make room for innovative solutions
2009 was a year dominated by the global recession. Cost-cutting actions such as lay-ups of several vessels became evident. A total of 19 vessels in the whole WWL system were in cold lay-up during the year. But the troubled times also made room for innovative solutions. In the port of Malmö, Sweden, the laid-up vessel m/v Morning Glory served as temporary storage for cars. In all subsidiary companies, a lot of effort was put into flexible and efficient planning.
John G Kleberg passed away
Former President of Wallenius Lines, Mr. John G Kleberg, passed away on March 21, 2009. In the latter part of the 1960s, John G Kleberg was employed as in-house lawyer at Wallenius Lines and was appointed CEO of the company following Olof Wallenius’ sudden and unexpected death in November 1970. During his career, John represented the Wallenius Lines in several marine organisations. John was 78 years of age.
CAT shares sold to Antelo
In April, Wallenius Lines sold all its shares of CAT to Manual Antelo. Mr. Antelo was chairman of CAT since he and Wallenius took over the company in July 2007. Antelo was also one of the founders of CAT in South America in the end of the 1990s, together with Renault.
New Site Office in Ulsan
On September 15, Wallenius Marine opened its new Site Office at Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in Ulsan, South Korea. It is the start of the building of four LCTC vessels to be delivered to EUKOR 2010-2011.
75-year anniversary
Parent company Rederi AB Soya, celebrated its 75th anniversary on November 23, 2009. Due to the recession, the celebrations were kept to a minimum but the anniversary was nevertheless commemorated in all fields of activities throughout the Group.
2008
Wallenius took delivery of three new Large Car Truck Carriers (LCTC), m/v FEDORA, m/v ANIARA and m/v OBERON, each with a cargo capacity of 8,000 units.
PureBallast receives full IMO approval. Wallenius Water and Alfa Laval have worked together to produce PureBallast, which was given full approval by the DNV, a global, independent certification body, together with the UN’s marine body the IMO (International Maritime Organization). It is the first chemical-free ballast water treatment in the world to have been approved by the IMO.
2007
Wallenius took delivery of two new Large Car Truck Carriers (LCTC), each with a cargo capacity of 8,000 units.
The ballast water treatment system PureBallast, developed in a joint venture between Wallenius Marine subsidiary Wallenius Water AB and Alfa Laval, received IMO Active Substance Final Approval, which means it is the world’s first IMO approved ballast water treatment system.
Wallenius Lines and partner Wilh. Wilhelmsen agrees with Hyundai Heavy Industries to build four new Large Car and Truck Carriers (LCTC). In addition, the companies have also agreed with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering for the building of four LCTCs.
The LCTCs will be deployed in the joint venture Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics' global trade.
2006
Wallenius Lines sees the delivery of two new state-of-the-art vessels, m/v AIDA and m/v OTELLO. Both vessels built at DSME in Korea and with a car capacity of 6,700.
m/v ELEKTRA is part of a very successful pilot project to test broadband at sea. At the end of the year, the decision is taken to apply this technology on all the vessels in the fleet.
Subsidiary company Benrad changes its name to Wallenius Water, and together with Alfa Laval, launches its chemical-free water treatment technology Pure Ballast.
2005
Wallenius Lines continued its newbuilding programme. A further four LCTC-vessels (Large Car Truck Carriers) have been ordered from DSME shipyard in Korea for delivery in 2008 and 2009. The vessels will be capable of carrying 8,000 vehicles.
Effective October 1, Mrs Lone Fønss Schrøder was appointed President of Wallenius Lines. She succeeded Mr Christer Olsson who has been the company’s President since 1990.
2004
In March 2004, Wallenius Lines placed the order for the biggest car carriers in the world – Large Car and Truck Carriers (LCTCs). Three LCTCs will be delivered in 2007-08, 228 metres long and with a car capacity of 8,000 cars. Another three vessels (PCTC) were ordered early in 2004, two with a capacity of 6,700 cars and one with 6,400 car capacity. All six vessels will be employed in the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines fleet or the EUKOR fleet.
Decision was also taken for the elongation of five of the fleet’s Boheme-class vessels. The vessels will be extended by 28 metres to 228 metres which will increase their capacity by 20% to 7,100 cars. The elongation of the first vessel, M/S MIGNON, started in March 2005 and was completed in May 2005.
As of January 1st, 2004, Wallenius Lines owns 100% of Transcar GmbH, a logistics company based in Germany.
2003
Wallenius Lines and Wilh.Wilhelmsen together acquire five Mark 1 vessels of ConRo type (Container-Ro/Ro), creating the company Mark 1 Singapore Ltd Pte.
The technical and ship management departments of Wallenius Lines form a new company, Wallenius Marine, a sister company to Wallenius Lines. The new company is responsible for the manning and technical operation of the Wallenius fleet.
M/S UNDINE is delivered in January 2003.
2002
Wallenius Lines, together with Wilh.Wilhelmsen, acquires 80 per cent of Hyundai Merchant Marine’s (HMM) car carrier division and the new company EUKOR Car Carriers is formed, based in Seoul, Korea. Carl-Johan Hagman is appointed President of EUKOR. Christer Olsson is appointed President of Wallenius Lines.
2001
Wallenius Lines acquires 40 per cent of the French logistics company Compagnie d’Affrètement et du Transport (CAT). The shares are later transferred to the subsidiary company Wallenius Wilhelmsen. Carl-Johan Hagman is appointed President of Wallenius Lines.