PCTC joins fleet
Grimaldi group has taken delivery of the 'Grande Melbourne', a new ammonia-ready pure car & truck carrier commissioned by Shanghai Waigaoqiao shipbuilding and China shipbuilding trading, subsidiaries of CSSC. Measuring 200 m long with a 38 m beam and 77,500 t gross tonnage, the vessel can carry up to 9,241 car equivalent units, including electric and conventionally powered vehicles, plus heavy rolling cargo of up to 250 t.
The ship was christened in Shanghai, where Xu Huayan of Shanghai Haitong international automotive terminal served as godmother. "Our new-generation PCTCs are setting a new standard in global vehicle transport," said managing director Emanuele Grimaldi. The 'Grande Melbourne' will begin her maiden voyage this month from Asia to Europe, transporting about 5,900 cars and 800 linear m of rolling cargo before continuing to ports in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and back to China. (js)