July 3 - As part of the expansion and modernisation programme of its owned fleet, the Grimaldi Group has recently signed an agreement for the construction of eight new PCTCs (Pure Car Truck Carriers), for a total investment of USD 465 million, writes Isab

Five of the units in the order have been commissioned to the Chinese shipyard Yangfan and the remaining three to Jinling shipyard. There are also options for a further eight units - seven at Yangfan and one at Jinling.

With delivery of all eight newbuilds expected in 2017, all new units will be deployed on the Group's regular service linking the Mediterranean with North America. 

Moreover, the new units are claimed to be the largest car carriers on the market and according to managing directors Emanuele Grimaldi and Diego Pacella, they will "provide ever sophisticated services to the automotive sector."

The president of the Grimaldi Group, Gianluca Grimaldi, commented that "the newbuildings will be highly efficient in terms of fuel consumption and environmental friendliness" and will "enhance the car carrier fleet of the Group." 

The current order list of the Group also includes two con-ro vessels expected by the end of 2015 and five more con-ro vessels are to be delivered by 2016. The first two are to be deployed on services linking Europe to West Africa, whilst the latter five will be delivered to the subsidiary company, Atlantic Container Line.

 

From left to right: president of Yangfan shipyard, Li Ming Dong, and managing director of Grimaldi Group, Emanuele Grimaldi.

 

www.grimaldi.napoli.it

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