The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of another large new-build PCTC vessel, the “Grande Oriente”. The 9,000-CEU car carrier is prepared for a future conversion to ammonia propulsion and is due to be deployed on its maiden voyage from China to the UK.
Grimaldi is continuing to expand its car carrier fleet: the Italian shipping group has taken delivery of the “Grande Oriente”, another newly built PCTC vessel from China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu. The vessel is designed to carry up to 9,000 CEU and is set to be deployed on its maiden voyage on the Asia–Europe route.
The “Grande Oriente” marks a further expansion of the Neapolitan company’s latest series of car carriers. This series already includes the sister ships “Grande Shanghai”, “Grande Svezia”, “Grande Michigan” and “Grande Inghilterra”.
The newbuild is 220 m long, 38 m wide and has a gross tonnage of 93,145. Its service speed is 18 kn, and its maximum capacity is 9,000 CEU. In addition to combustion-engine vehicles, electric cars can also be transported on board.
The maiden voyage is set to begin in the coming days in Taicang, China. The destination is the British port of Portbury. According to Grimaldi, the vessel will carry around 700 track metres of RoRo cargo as well as more than 6,200 passenger cars.
Prepared for future use of ammonia
The “Grande Oriente” has the RINA class notation “Ammonia Ready”. This means the ship is prepared for a future conversion to ammonia as an alternative fuel. In this context, Grimaldi refers to it as an option for future carbon-free operation.
According to the company, fuel consumption is expected to be 50 per cent lower than that of older car carriers. This is to be achieved through a series of technical measures. These include lithium batteries with a total capacity of 5 MWh and a shore power system. The ship is expected to be able to operate emission-free in port, provided the necessary infrastructure is in place.
Batteries, shore power and solar panels on board
The vessel’s specifications also include 2,500 m² of solar panels, a silicone-based hull coating to reduce drag, and systems for demand-based control of ventilation and air conditioning. The electronically controlled main engine is fitted with an exhaust gas cleaning system to reduce sulphur oxides and particulates, as well as selective catalytic reduction to limit nitrogen oxide emissions to below Tier III levels.
Gate rudders on PCTC vessels for the first time
Another feature of the series is the gate rudder. It consists of two wing-shaped rudder blades on either side of the propeller and is designed to improve both propulsion efficiency and manoeuvrability. According to Grimaldi, this is the first time such a system has been used on PCTC vessels.
In addition, the “Grande Oriente” has been awarded the class notations “Green Plus”, “Green Star 3”, “Comfort Vibration” and “Comfort Noise Port”.
According to Grimaldi, the ship’s name reflects the group’s increased focus on markets in the Far East. Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group, describes the newbuild as part of the strategy to further expand the group’s presence in these markets and its service network.
