Italy-based Grimaldi Group has ordered five ammonia-ready pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) vessels.
The group has commissioned Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC), subsidiaries of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), for the construction of the vessels. The agreement includes the option for another two units.
Measuring 200 m long and 38 m wide, the PCTCs will have a loading capacity of 9,000 car equivalent units. They will be capable of loading other types of heavy rolling units weighing up to 250 tonnes.
With ammonia-ready class notation, certified by the Italian Naval Register (RINA), the ships will be able to be converted to use ammonia as an alternative, zero-carbon fuel, the group said.
According to Grimaldi, the vessels will be installed with emission abatement systems making them compliant with the most stringent limits established at international level for C02, N0x and S0x emissions.
For Grimaldi, the vessels are a step towards increasing its overall capacity and its transition towards electric powered engines.
Delivery is expected between 2025 and 2026 and will eventually be deployed on services in Europe, North Africa, and the Far East.
This latest order is in addition to an agreement with China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu for five PCTCs, with an option for a further five units.
