Grimaldi increased the number of car carriers designed for eventual conversion for the use of ammonia as a marine fuel to 15.
As part of the agreement signed in late October with China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu for constructing five new PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) vessels, Grimaldi exercised the option for another five units.
The concept of the new buildings was developed by the Grimaldi Group in collaboration with the Knud E. Hansen naval design and architecture studio.
With a loading capacity of over 9,000 CEU (Car Equivalent Units), they are designed to transport electric vehicles as well as fossil fuel vehicles.
They received the Ammonia Ready class notation from RINA, which certifies that the ships are designed for eventual conversion for the use of ammonia as a marine fuel.
These vessels will be equipped with mega lithium batteries, solar panels, shore connection capability, and other technologies to reduce the carbon footprint.
Overall, the new ships will be able to cut fuel consumption by 50% compared to the previous generation of car carrier vessels. 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. CMI Group will also take the green technology shipbuilding as a new growth point and cooperate with Grimaldi to achieve common long-term development
stated CMI President Hu Xianpu.
The ten vessels commissioned from China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu will be delivered between 2025 and 2027.
Overall, thanks to its recent investments totaling about USD 2.5 billion, Grimaldi will take delivery of twenty-five new ultra-modern vessels over the next five years, including fifteen ammonia-ready PCTCs, six G5-class ro-ro multipurpose vessels, two GG5G-class hybrid ro-ro ships, and two Superstar-class ro-pax units.
