The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of the Grande Pacifico, a pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) built by China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu, the Naples-based shipping group announced on 11 August.

The vessel is the first of five sister PCTCs ordered from the Chinese shipyard and carries a loading capacity of 9,800 car equivalent units (CEU), making it the largest PCTC in the Grimaldi Group fleet. It is also the thirteenth vessel in the group’s fleet to hold an ammonia-ready class notation.

The Grande Pacifico represents an evolution of the design behind five 9,000-ceu vessels previously delivered by the same shipyard. The new vessel measures 220 metres in length with a beam of 38 metres, a gross tonnage of 95,534 and a service speed of 18 knots. With 15 decks — one more than its predecessors — the vessel offers a cargo capacity approximately 9% greater than earlier units in the series. In addition to electric and conventionally fuelled vehicles, the ship is designed to transport compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles.

The ammonia-ready class notation has been awarded by RINA (Registro Italiano Navale), certifying that the vessel can be converted to operate on ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel. The Grande Pacifico has also received class notations including Green Plus, Green Star 3, Comfort Vibration and Comfort Noise Port.

According to Grimaldi, the vessel is capable of reducing fuel consumption by 50% compared with previous-generation car carriers, owing to a range of energy-efficiency technologies on board. These include 5 MWh of lithium battery capacity, 2,500 square metres of solar panels, an air lubrication system, silicone hull coatings, an intelligent energy management system and a gate rudder. The vessel has also been designed for shore power supply, allowing it to operate with zero emissions while berthed at suitably equipped ports.

The vessel’s main engine is electronically controlled and fitted with exhaust gas treatment systems, with nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions said to be well below IMO Tier III limits, alongside reductions in sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions.

The Grande Pacifico is set to depart on its maiden voyage from Taicang, China, bound for Antwerp, Belgium, and Southampton, UK, on the Asia–Europe service. Its initial cargo is reported to include more than 6,900 vehicles and over 900 linear metres of rolling cargo.

Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group, stated: “With the delivery of the Grande Pacifico, the Grimaldi Group reaffirms its strategy of investing in an increasingly innovative, efficient and sustainable fleet. The new 9,800-ceu PCTCs represent the natural evolution of the first five vessels in the series, offering even greater cargo capacity and design solutions that further enhance their operational versatility. Investing in increasingly larger and more efficient vessels, while ensuring they are ready to operate with the fuels of the future, enables us to strengthen our leadership in the sector and provide our customers with state-of-the-art maritime transport services with the lowest possible environmental impact.”