The Neapolitan group giant Grimaldi is expanding its fleet portfolio with another five vessels. The company has exercised the option provided in the agreement signed in late October, with China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu for another five units, bringing the total number of car carriers ordered by Grimaldi to fifteen. Grimaldi group has ordered initially the construction of five new PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) vessels. With the new orders the Grimaldi group brings its ammonia-ready car carrier orderbook to fifteen.
The Neapolitan company is vigorously pursuing the upgrade and renewal of its fleet, which currently counts 130 ships deployed worldwide. The ten vessels commissioned from China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu will be delivered between 2025 and 2027.
The vessels will have a loading capacity of over 9,000 CEU (Car Equivalent Units), and are designed to transport electric vehicles as well as fossil fuel vehicles. They also received the Ammonia Ready class notation from RINA, as the company explains, which certifies that the ships are designed for eventual conversion for the use of ammonia as marine fuel.
The new PCTCs will be deployed on voyages between Europe, North Africa, and the Near and Far East to meet the new transport needs of automotive industry players.
“Grimaldi is committed to green shipping and will lead further the car shipping transportation field”, stated CMI President Hu Xianpu.
“With our recent orders for the construction of new PCTC vessels, we’ve strengthened our long lasting and fruitful collaboration with China Merchant Industry Holdings,” said Grimaldi Group Managing Director Emanuele Grimaldi. Ten out of fifteen of our newly ordered car carriers will be deployed on the Far East trade and support the increasing development of China’s automotive industry.”
Due to its recent investments totalling about $2.5 billion, the Grimaldi Group will take delivery of twenty-five new ultra-modern vessels over the next five years, including fifteen ammonia-ready PCTCs (with option for another two units), six G5-class ro-ro multipurpose vessels, two GG5G-class hybrid ro-ro ships, and two Superstar-class ro-pax units (for its subsidiary Finnlines).
Source: Grimaldi Group
