With the “Grande Auckland”, the Italian Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of the second of seven new large newbuildings of the 9,241-CEU class.
The Pure Car & Track Carrier (PCTC) is part of a series ordered by Grimaldi from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company Limited (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited (CSTC), two companies belonging to China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC). The initial order with a volume of 630 million dollars still comprised five ships.
With a length of 200 meters, a width of 38 meters and a tonnage of around 77,500, the “Grande Auckland” is designed to transport vehicles – cars, SUVs, vans, both electric and conventional fuel-powered – as well as other types of rolling cargo. The vessel is equipped with four decks that are also suitable for transporting large rolling units, including heavy loads of up to 250 tons and a maximum height of 6.5 meters.
“In particular, thanks to its optimized dimensions that maximize cargo capacity, a proven ship design, state-of-the-art technologies and next-generation systems, the “Grande Auckland” significantly reduces the CO₂ emission index per transported cargo – by up to 50% compared to previous generation PCTC vessels,” says the Italian shipping company.
In addition, the ship has been awarded the “Ammonia Ready”-notation by Italian class Rina, which certifies that it can be converted to ammonia as an alternative fuel in the future. It is also designed for cold ironing, i.e. it can be operated with shore power while moored in port.
The name of the new building is a tribute to the city of Auckland in New Zealand, which Grimaldi ships from Europe have been calling at regularly once a month since 2023. The “Grande Auckland” will now embark on its maiden voyage on the Asia-Europe route, where it will remain in service until 2025. The ship will leave Shanghai and Lianyungang with 4,900 vehicles and 3,300 linear meters of rolling cargo (buses, trucks, excavators, trailers) and call at Agadir and Tangier Med (Morocco), Vigo (Spain), Antwerp (Belgium) and Southampton (UK). From Northern Europe, she will return to Asia, calling at La Réunion (French overseas department in the Indian Ocean), then Yokohama and Toyohashi (Japan) and finally Masan (South Korea).
As the picture by the shipowner, the next ship, the “Grande Melbourne”, is already waiting to be delivered. The Grimaldi Group has ordered a further 14 ammonia-capable PCTC ships, which are to be delivered between 2025 and 2027 and are intended to further strengthen the maritime connections to the Asian market.
