Grimaldi orders a further 5+2 ammonia-ready 9,000 CEU capacity PCTC's in China

Ro-roGrimaldi Group has upped the anti of its PCTC fleet expansion programme at Chinese shipyards by ordering a further five ammonia-ready 9,000 CEU capacity vessels. The new order, which includes an option on a further two vessels, has been placed with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company Limited (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited (CSTC), two subsidiaries of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC).

This latest newbuilding order of 5+2 PCTC's equals an investment of over USD 630 million.

The latest newbuildings will measure 200m x 38m and they will be among the first PCTC's to be equipped with a new electronic controlled main engine, who's fuel consumption is one of the lowest currently available on the market.

In addition, the 5+2 vessels will feature the RINA "Ammonia Ready" class notation, which certifies that they may be converted for the use of ammonia as an alternative zero carbon fuel. The new vessels will also be designed for "cold ironing" with the supply of shoreside electricity, when available.

The PCTC's just ordered are an evolution of the modern and efficient 6,700 CEU capacity car carriers delivered to Grimaldi between 2016 and 2018, in adding to the significant increase in capacity, thanks to design innovations and state-of-the-art engines and their CO2 emission per cargo unit transported index will be 27 per cent lower than previous generations of ships.

Delivery of the latest batch of ammonia-ready PCTC's will take place in 2025 and 2026, and enhance the Italian operator's service between Europe, North Africa and the Near and Far East.

This latest newbuilding contract was signed just three months after Grimaldi's last order for 5+5 ammonia-ready PCTC's at China Merchants' Jiangsu shipyard.

Jan 17 2023