The Grimaldi Group orders five more ammonia-ready car carriers
The new agreement, which also includes an
option for another two vessels, comes just over two months after the latest order
for the construction of five more PCTCs
Naples, 13 January 2023: 2023 opens with a new order for the Grimaldi fleet.
The Neapolitan group has commissioned Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company
Limited (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited (CSTC), two subsidiaries
of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), to build five new
PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) vessels, with the option for another
two units, which would bring the total investment to over USD 630 million.
With a length of 200 meters, a width of 38 meters and
loading capacity of 9,000 CEU (Car Equivalent Unit), the new buildings have
been designed to transport electric and fossil fuel vehicles (cars, SUVs, vans,
etc.) as well as other types of heavy rolling freight (up to 250 tons). They
will be among the first ships equipped with a new type of electronic engine whose
specific consumption is one of the lowest in its category. Thanks to their
emission abatement systems, the new units will comply with the most stringent
limits established at international level for CO2, NOx and SOx
emissions.
In addition, the new ships will have the RINA (Italian
Naval Register) Ammonia Ready class notation, which certifies that they may
be converted for the use of ammonia as an alternative, zero-carbon fuel. They
will also be designed for cold ironing with shoreside supply of electricity (where
available), which constitutes a green alternative to the consumption of fossil
fuels during port stays.
The vessels ordered represent an
evolution of the modern and efficient 6,700-CEU car carriers delivered to the
Group between 2016 and 2018 (Grande
Baltimora, Grande New York e Grande Halifax): in addition to the
significant increase in capacity, thanks to design innovations and state-of-the-art
engines and systems, their CO2 emissions per cargo unit transported
index will be 27% lower than that of previous generation of ships.
Upon their delivery, expected
between 2025 and 2026, the new buildings will enhance the Grimaldi Group's
services between Europe, North Africa, the Near and Far East.
The new order was signed just over two months after the Group's latest order for the construction of five ammonia-ready PCTC vessels (with an option for another five units): this testifies to the company's trust in the growth of the global automotive industry, and notably of the electric car segment. Moreover, this agreement with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company Limited and China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited comes at a very important time for the Chinese maritime industry, in light of the recent entry of the China Shipowners' Association (the national association representing owners, operators and managers of merchant ships) in the International Chamber of Shipping, the body that represents over 80% of the world's merchant tonnage.