A first-of-its-kind naming ceremony for HERO vessel MV Tannhauser

The Covid-19 pandemic has presented many challenges this year, but it has also fostered a great spirit of imagination and innovation – and the virtual naming ceremony of MV Tannhauser was no exception.

As a traditional ceremony was not possible, an online ceremony proved to be the next best thing and was not only special in its uniqueness, but symbolic too of the spirit of collaboration that Wallenius Wilhelmsen prides itself on.

‘We turned a challenge into an opportunity to do something new, which has allowed everyone to participate,” said Craig Jasienski, Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s CEO, in his welcoming address from the Oslo offices. “This year has been challenging, but we have responded well and this is the spirit we want to continue with.”

After welcoming everyone, Jasienski handed over to Seoul and Erik Noeklebye, EVP and COO Shipping Services who, along with his team, was responsible for the design and build of this impressive vessel, which viewers got to experience with a virtual tour.

Boasting 13 liftable decks to accommodate different types of cargo, a wider stern ramp for a safer, more efficient flow of traffic, an optimised hull for reduced fuel consumption and digital navigation aids, MV Tannhauser is designed to provide operational and environmental efficiencies.

“Given Tannhauser’s technology and capabilities, she will not only help to service our customers, but will also help to contribute to the target set by IMO of 40% reduced emissions by 2030,” says Jasienski, adding that Wallenius Wilhelmsen has already achieved a significant 35% output reduction in CO2 emissions per tonne/km on our ships.

Of course, no naming ceremony would be complete without the introduction of the vessel’s godparents. In MV Tannhauser’s case, all Wallenius Wilhelmsen employees were given this honour.

“The role of a godparent is very important and thinking in the context of firsts, we decided to approach this collaboratively and invite all Wallenius Wilhelmsen employees across land and sea operations collectively to be godparents,” said Jasienski.

While the godparents are normally alongside the vessel as part of the naming ceremony, this was not possible under the current circumstances. Instead, Wallenius Wilhelmsen representatives, Hannelore Hardy, senior manager controlling and accounting EMEA, and Emmanuel Van Damme, general manager, Zeebrugge terminal, were in Zeebrugge to carry out the tradition of breaking a bottle of champagne against the vessel in an official welcome to the Wallenius Wilhelmsen fleet.

Finally, in keeping with the tradition of gifting a photograph of the godparents to the captain of the vessel, a collage of all employees was handed to the relieving captain Stefan Sjöstrand and captain Jan Ake Brottman onboard MV Tannhauser and placed inside the vessel.

Now officially part of our fleet, we wish MV Tannhauser fair weather and following seas.