Grimaldi's first ammonia-ready car carrier named in China

Italian shipping player Grimaldi has named and launched its first ammonia-ready pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) built at China Merchants Heavy Industries.

The 9,000 CEU newbuild was christened as Grande Shanghai at the ceremony held on July 21 in Haimen, China.

Grande Shanghai is Grimaldi’s first of ten next-generation PCTCs with the Ammonia Ready class notation from the Italian ship classification society RINA. The first five units will have a 9,000 CEU capacity, while the remaining five ships will have an increased capacity of 9,800 CEU.

Designed by the Grimaldi Group and the naval architecture firm Knud E. Hansen, the PCTC measures 220 meters in length and 38 meters in beam, has a gross tonnage of 93,145 tonnes, and a cruise speed of 18 knots. Across its 14 decks, Grande Shanghai can accommodate both electric vehicles and those powered by traditional fuels.

Owing to its high cargo capacity and environmental sustainability, Grande Shanghai reduces fuel consumption per cargo unit transported by 50% compared to the previous car carrier generation, Grimaldi stated.

The newbuild is also the first vessel in the Grimaldi fleet to obtain the Ammonia