Splash247: Wallenius Wilhelmsen signs bio-methanol supply deal with Equinor

Norwegian shipping and logistics group Wallenius Wilhelmsen has secured a two-year agreement with energy major Equinor for the supply of mass-balanced bio-methanol for its vessels.

Under the deal, the fuel will be produced in Norway and delivered to the company’s ships in Antwerp and Zeebrugge, two key bunkering hubs for European trades.

The contract will provide significant volumes of the alternative fuel for Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s methanol-capable vessels. The bio-methanol is certified under the ISCC EU scheme and is expected to cut CO₂ emissions by around 95% compared with conventional fuels, the company said.

The deal is part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s push to roll out a net-zero end-to-end logistics pilot service for selected customers from 2027, covering both sea transport and associated logistics.

Equinor has been expanding its presence in the marine fuels market and has already signed bio-methanol supply agreements with other shipping players, including Maersk and Norwegian Cruise Line.

For Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the deal helps secure access to lower-carbon fuels as shipowners look to reduce emissions while waiting for large-scale production of alternative marine fuels to ramp up.

“Long-term agreements help create the demand signals fuel producers need to invest and scale production, strengthening the supply chain for alternative fuels and accelerating the transition from pilot projects to commercial deployment across the industry,” said Christos Chryssakis, vice president of energy and regulations at Wallenius Wilhelmsen.