09/15/2025
Grimaldi Group Welcomes New Ammonia-Ready Car Carrier, the Grande Auckland
The Grimaldi Group expands its eco-friendly fleet with the delivery of the Grande Auckland, a new 9,241 CEU ammonia-ready PCTC from China’s CSSC. Learn about its features and maiden voyage.
The Grimaldi Group has strengthened its commitment to sustainable shipping with the delivery of the Grande Auckland, a new ammonia-ready car carrier (PCTC). The vessel was delivered by the CSSC group shipyard, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS).
This marks the second of seven new PCTC vessels ordered by the Italian shipping giant, designed to significantly reduce emissions and future-proof its fleet.
Key Features of the Grande Auckland PCTC
The Grande Auckland is a state-of-the-art vessel with a capacity of 9,241 CEU (Car Equivalent Units). Its innovative design focuses on efficiency and environmental performance:
- Ammonia-Ready Certification: Awarded by RINA, this notation confirms the vessel can be converted to use green ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel in the future.
- Superior Fuel Efficiency: Features an innovative MAN engine that offers one of the lowest fuel consumption rates in its class.
- 50% Less CO2 Emissions: An optimized design reduces the CO₂ emission index per transported cargo by up to 50% compared to previous-generation vessels.
- Cold Ironing Ready: Equipped to connect to shore-side electricity in port, eliminating emissions at berth.
- Heavy Load Capacity: Includes four decks capable of transporting large units like buses and excavators, with some loads up to 250 tons.
Maiden Voyage: Asia to Europe Trade Route
The Grande Auckland will immediately enter service on the Grimaldi Group’s Asia-Europe route. Its maiden voyage will depart from Shanghai and Lianyungang, carrying thousands of vehicles and rolling cargo, with calls at:
- Agadir and Tanger Med (Morocco)
- Vigo (Spain)
- Antwerp (Belgium)
- Southampton (United Kingdom)
The vessel will then return to Asia, making stops in La Réunion, Japan (Yokohama, Toyohashi), and South Korea (Masan).
Expanding a Green Fleet
The addition of the Grande Auckland is a key part of Grimaldi’s fleet modernization strategy. The group currently has 14 more ammonia-ready PCTC vessels on order, set for delivery between 2025 and 2027, significantly boosting its capacity on key global trade lanes.