Eyal Ofer’s British shipping company Zodiac Maritime has now added another LNG dual-fuel car carrier (PCTC) with a capacity of 7,000 CEU to its fleet.
The car carrier was built by Yantai CIMC Raffles Shipyard in China and was recently delivered after successful sea trials.
It is the ninth of a total of ten units in this series that Zodiac has ordered from CIMC Raffles. Thanks to operation with LNG as one of the main fuels, emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly CO₂, are expected to be reduced by up to 30% compared to conventionally powered ships.
According to Zodiac, all important systems – including the main engine, navigation, safety equipment and anchoring system – were successfully tested during the sea trials. The first four PCTCs of this series were ordered by the shipping company in October 2021, based on a design by the Shanghai Ship Research and Design Institute (SDARI). Deliveries began in 2023, after which Zodiac increased the order to a total of ten ships.
In addition to car carriers, the London-based company operates container ships, bulkers, tankers and LPG carriers. In August 2023, Zodiac invested $120 million in four tankers of 19,900 dwt each, built in Fukuoka, Japan. CIMC Raffles last delivered the LNG dual-fuel PCTC “BYD Changzhou” to the Chinese vehicle manufacturer BYD in December 2024.
Zodiac Maritime, founded in London in 1976 and operating under its current name since 2015, is part of the Ofer Global Group chaired by Eyal Ofer. With a fleet of around 180 vessels – including container ships, bulk carriers, crude oil, product, gas and chemical tankers as well as car/truck carriers – the company employs over 6,500 seafarers and has offices in Europe and Asia.
In addition to managing its own and third-party vessels, Zodiac also offers training programs for officer trainees, supervises newbuildings and makes maritime investments. The company emphasizes diversity, innovation, high safety standards and reliability and is known for its close cooperation with leading shipping companies such as MSC.
The shipping company was recently criticized after its car carrier “Morning Midas” fell victim to a devastating fire in the North Pacific. The Liberian-flagged ship was traveling from China to Mexico with more than 3,000 vehicles – including numerous hybrid and electric cars – when a fire broke out on board on June 3. The ship sank three weeks later. The 22 crew members were rescued from a nearby container ship. According to the salvage company Resolve Marine, massive fire damage, stormy seas and ingressing water ultimately led to the sinking around 360 nautical miles southwest of Adak (Alaska). The wreck lies at a depth of around 5,000 meters.
