The “RS Atlantico” has left China bound for Europe. The newly built vessel can carry around 5,500 cars and is due to arrive in the fourth quarter. A second car carrier will follow in mid-2027.
The Spanish Suardiaz Group is expanding its fleet with the addition of the “RS Atlantico”, a dual-fuel car carrier. The vessel has left China and is expected to arrive in Europe in the fourth quarter of this year. It is the first newbuild of a new generation of Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) that the Madrid-based company is adding to its fleet.
The “RS Atlantico”, which is approximately 190 metres long and has a gross tonnage of 55,000, can accommodate around 5,500 passenger cars. In addition to vehicles, it is designed to transport machinery as well as heavy and bulky rolling cargo. Suardiaz Shipping Lines aims to use the new vessel to strengthen existing routes and increase the available capacity for its automotive customers.
The dual-fuel engines can be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). According to the company, this makes Suardiaz the first Spanish shipowner to operate an LNG-powered vessel in the car carrier segment. The new PCTCs are also the company’s largest vessels to date. A second vessel is due to join the fleet in mid-2027.
More than €360 million invested over six years
The fleet expansion is part of a wider growth programme. According to the company, Suardiaz has invested more than €360 million over the past six years. In addition to fleet renewal, the funds have been channelled into international expansion, logistics infrastructure and the development of services for the industrial and energy sectors.
The programme also includes the development of multimodal transport solutions. In doing so, the group combines sea, road and rail transport with freight forwarding, industrial logistics, port services and offshore projects.
