Italian logistics firm Grimaldi Group held a naming ceremony for its new vessel, Grande Shanghai, in Haimen, China, on Thursday.
The ship, with a capacity of 9,000 Car Equivalent Units (CEU), is the first of ten next-generation Pure Car & Truck Carriers (PCTC) ordered from China Merchants Heavy Industries.
The event was attended by Sichuan Wu, Chairman of China Merchants Industry, and Luigi Pacella Grimaldi, Automotive Intercontinental Director at Grimaldi Group. Tiziana D’Angelo, Consul General of Italy in Shanghai, was present as the vessel’s godmother.
According to company representatives, the Grande Shanghai is designed to improve cargo capacity and energy efficiency, reportedly reducing fuel consumption per cargo unit by 50% compared to earlier models. It is also the first vessel in Grimaldi’s fleet to receive the Ammonia Ready class notation from the Italian Shipping Registry (RINA), indicating its potential for future conversion to ammonia propulsion, a zero-carbon fuel.
The vessel is equipped with several environmental technologies, including lithium batteries with a combined capacity of 5 MWh, 2,500 square metres of solar panels, and the capability to use shoreside power while docked. Its 14 decks are suitable for both electric and conventional vehicles.
At 220 metres in length and with a gross tonnage of 93,145, the Grande Shanghai includes additional energy efficiency features such as silicon-based hull coatings, an Air Lubrication System, and a gate rudder system, marking the first use of this technology on a PCTC.
The remaining nine vessels in the series will be built to similar specifications, with the next five designed for a slightly larger capacity of 9,800 CEU.
This development aligns with ongoing efforts in the maritime sector to reduce environmental impact, particularly in the car transport segment.
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