China’s Jiangnan Shipyard has delivered the first LNG-powered pure car and truck carrier to compatriot SAIC Anji Logistics.
According to a statement by CSSC’s Jiangnan, the LNG dual-fuel PCTC with a capacity of 7,600 units, SAIC Anji Sincerity, has started its maiden voyage on Wednesday.
Jiangnan claims this is currently the world’s largest LNG-powered car carrier in operation.
The shipbuilder launched this vessel in August last year.
Back in 2021, the unit of Chinese largest carmaker SAIC Motor ordered two LNG-powered PCTCs with a capacity of 7,600 units and this vessel is the first in that batch.
After that, SAIC Anji ordered three more LNG-powered PCTCs with a capacity of 7,800 units.
Designed by SDARI, all of the 199.9 meters long vessels feature WinGD dual-fuel engines and type C LNG tanks.
Jiangnan expects to deliver the second ship in 2024 as well, while the other three ships should join the fleet in 2025.
SAIC Motor said in a separate statement that SAIC Anji Sincerity will transport the first batch of new vehicles of China’s brands SAIC, Dongfeng Motor, and Yutong to Europe.
The carmaker said that SAIC Anji’s fleet includes 31 vessels and the firm operates seven international routes covering Southeast Asia, Mexico, South America, and Europe.
A total of 12 new PCTCs with a capacity of 7,000, 7,600, 7,800, and 9,000 vehicles will join its fleet in the next three years.
SAIC Motor sold a total of 5.02 million vehicles in 2023, maintaining its position as the top Chinese automaker, while it achieved overseas sales of 1.21 million units, a year-on-year increase of 18.8 percent.