Construction of Grimaldi’s new PCTCs makes progress

The Grimaldi Group’s newbuilding program is progressing swiftly. On 18 July, the Chinese SWS shipyard hosted the steel-cutting ceremony for the vessel Grande Tianjin while, on 6 September, the keel was laid for the Grande Shanghai at the China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu Shipyard (a China Merchant Industry [CMI] Holdings subsidiary).

These innovative 9,000-CEU (Car Equivalent Unit) vessels will feature state-of-the-art engines and systems aimed at reducing their carbon footprint. The Ammonia Ready class notation received from RINA certifies that these new car carriers can be converted to use zero-carbon ammonia fuel in the future. Additionally, they are designed for cold ironing with shoreside supply of electricity, which constitutes a green alternative to the consumption of fossil fuels.

The Grimaldi Group’s PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) order book includes 17 vessels worth US$1.6 billion. All these car carriers are expected to be delivered between 2025 and 2027 and will be deployed on voyages between Europe, North Africa, and the Near and Far East to meet the new demand of the vehicle market.