Car Carrier Boom: CSSC Books Order for 12, DNV Approves Largest Design

 

The vehicle transport sector is continuing its rapid growth with a new generation of the world’s largest Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) set to emerge from the Chinese shipyards. China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) celebrated the largest order for the largest yet-built car carriers while at the same time, China Merchants rolled out the design for an even larger ship. This comes as the sector is capacity-constrained and now has as many as 100 new vessels on order.

During this week’s China International Maritime Exhibition CSSC signed a multitude of orders but the company was highlighting what it said was the largest single PCTC order in shipbuilding history. It is for a new class of the vessel which they also highlighted as the largest and most advanced in the sector.

The new ships will have a total of 14 car decks with five of them being lift or movable decks for a total capacity of 10,800 units. The vessels will have the capability to load ultra-high and ultra-heavy ro-ro cargo as well as a range of vehicle types. Special consideration is given to transporting hydrogen, compressed natural gas, liquified petroleum, and other new technologies for powering vehicles including electric vehicles, which they expect will drive the industry’s growth. The ships will also be able to transport dangerous cargo and refrigerated containers.

The design and range of capabilities will improve the vessel’s density and flexibility of cargo loading. CSSC highlights that while the vessel’s capacity will be 16 to 20 percent larger than the current biggest vessels with a 9,000-unit capacity, transport costs will be eight percent lower per unit. 

The ships will also be environmentally sensitive. They are designed to operate on LNG while also being ready for either ammonia or methanol. 

Two of CSSC’s subsidiaries booked a combined order for a minimum of 12 of the vessels and possibly as many as 20 if the options are exercised. As was announced earlier in the week, six of the vessels will be built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding for Seaspan. It marks the first time the containership company has expanded into the car carrier segment. They also have an option for up to four more vessels.

In a second surprise development, South Korea’s HMM, another primarily container carrier, also ordered six of the vessels to be built at Guangzhou Shipyard. They also have an option for up to four more ships. It is part of HMM’s previously announced strategy designed to expand the company and diversify into other segments to balance with the performance of the containerships.

Delivery is set to begin in 2026 for all the vessels. They will also be operating under long-term charters to Hyundai Glovis, which is one of the world’s largest operators of PCTCs. The company reported last month that its board had approved the plan to build the new class of next-generation vessels.

 

Deltamarin's rendering of the design for the largest PCTC designed with China Merchants

 

The title of the largest vessels in the category may however be short-lived. During the same trade fair, China Merchants Jinling Shipyard received design approval (AiP) from DNV for a new even larger car carrier. The concept calls for a vessel able to transport 11,000 units. It would also have 14 decks and be 767 feet (234 meters) in length with a 131-foot (40-meter) beam. China Merchants emphasizes like CSSC that the size would increase efficiency and reduce transport cost per vehicle.

The vessels were designed in partnership with Deltamarin and would feature an optimized hull and a stern flow device to improve operating efficiency. They will also use air lubrication for the hull to reduce drag. Powered by LNG, the new class of car carriers would be equipped with a 4,200 cbm LNG tank to maximize range. 

China Merchants reports it is already in discussions with an unnamed potential customer for the vessel.