Chinese automotive and logistics groups such as BYD and SAIC Anji have recently attracted increased attention with their shipping activities. However, the Cosco Group also wants to score more points in the car carrier market. This includes a new-build program. And one of the new ships has now moored in Germany for the first time.
There have been several reports about the wave of new Chinese car carriers transporting electric vehicles from the People’s Republic, primarily to Europe.
The Chinese state shipping company Cosco Shipping has also developed a special program for the automotive logistics sector. The focus of this initiative is on building an “efficient, world-class fleet”, as Cosco announced. Between 2024 and 2026, over 20 PCTCs are to be built and put into operation, so that the fleet will then consist of over 30 units. With this expansion, an annual transport capacity of around 700,000 vehicles is to be achieved, with 80% of the fleet consisting of “clean fuel” ships.
Joint venture
The latest car freighter, the “Gan Jiang Kou”, which will not be delivered until fall 2024, has now moored at the BLG Autoterminal in Bremerhaven as part of its maiden voyage. This is the latest LNG dual-fuel car and truck transporter (PCTC) from Cosco Shipping Specialized Carriers, a subsidiary of the Chinese Cosco Shipping Group.
This freighter was christened and delivered in Nansha, Guangzhou on September 19, 2024. This ship with the construction number 22110007 is one of a series of nine sister ships operated by Guangzhou Yuanhai Automobile Shipping, a joint venture subsidiary of Cosco Shipping Specialized Carriers.
The sister ship “Peony Leader”, which operates under charter for NYK, has been in service since the summer of last year, while the latest ship in the series, the “Xiang Jiang Kou”, only left China a few days ago for its maiden voyage to Europe via Thailand.
The Lieberia-flagged “Gan Jiang Kou”, named after the mouth of the Ganjiang River, has an overall length of 199.9 m, a width of 38 m, a draft of 8.6 m and a maximum draught of 10 m. The ship is powered by a two-stroke engine. Powered by a two-stroke dual-fuel main engine from MAN-B&W with an output of 13,300 kW and supplemented by a fixed pitch propeller, three dual-fuel generators and a bow thruster, the ship reaches a speed of 19 knots.
It also has two LNG tanks, each with a capacity of 1,675 m³. The natural gas capacity on board is intended to ensure uninterrupted operation during the entire voyage from Asia to Europe. On its maiden voyage, the “Gan Jiang Kou” took delivery of up to 4,500 new electric vehicles in Shanghai in the fall, which were also destined for customers in South Africa.
12 car decks on Cosco newbuild
The ship has 12 car decks, including 8 fixed decks and four lifting decks for the transportation of up to 7,000 standard vehicles (CEU). On the starboard side, there is a tailgate and a side door for the transfer of rolling cargo such as cars, vans, cargo trailers, heavy trucks and other vehicle models. In addition to standard vehicles, the ship can also transport certain dangerous goods packed in accordance with the IMDG Code. In addition, all 12 decks are designed for fuel vehicles and vehicles with lithium batteries, while the 11th and 12th decks are equipped for alternative energy vehicles, such as those powered by hydrogen and natural gas.
Looking to the future, Cosco Shipping expects to take delivery of six more dual-fuel LNG car carriers with 7,500 CEU each in 2025 and 2026 as part of its joint venture with SIPG Logistics and Anji Logistics. ( CE)