Grimaldi Welcomes Grande Pacifico, Its Biggest Car Carrier Yet

Credit: Grimaldi

Grimaldi Group has a new flagship ship. According to The Maritime Telegraph, the company just received MV Grande Pacifico. It is now the largest car-carrying ship (PCTC) in Grimaldi's fleet. The ship was built by China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu. It is the first of five new sister ships.

The ship is 220 metres long and has 15 decks. It can carry up to 9,800 CEU (a unit for counting cars). This is more than the 9,000 CEU ships Grimaldi had before. The ship can carry electric cars, normal cars, and gas-powered (CNG) cars too.

The ship uses clean technology. It has a big battery system (5 MWh) and solar panels (2,500 square metres). It also uses air lubrication, which reduces friction and saves fuel. A special rudder makes the ship easier to steer. The ship can also connect to power at port instead of running its engines. In the future, it may be able to run on ammonia fuel.

The ship's first trip starts in Taicang, China. It will carry more than 6,900 vehicles to Antwerp, Belgium, and Southampton, UK.

This new ship is part of a bigger plan. Grimaldi ordered 17 new PCTC ships between 2022 and 2023. The total cost is more than $1.6 billion. The goal is simple: carry more cargo, use less fuel, and pollute less.

Global News

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