Italian shipping group Grimaldi has taken delivery of its latest-generation PCTC, GRANDE EGITTO, from China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu, expanding the company’s fleet of large vehicle carriers.
The 220-metre-long vessel is the group’s 14th Ammonia Ready unit and, together with sister ship GRANDE PACIFICO, is the largest PCTC in the Grimaldi fleet. With a gross tonnage of 95,534 tonnes and 15 decks, GRANDE EGITTO can carry up to 9,800 CEU of vehicles, including electric, conventionally fuelled and CNG-powered vehicles.
Classed by RINA as Ammonia Ready, the vessel has been designed for a future conversion to ammonia fuel. Grimaldi says a range of energy-saving technologies enables the ship to reduce fuel consumption by around 50% compared with previous-generation car carriers.
Among the features are a 5 MWh lithium battery system, shore-power capability, 2,500 square metres of solar panels, an air lubrication system, silicone hull coatings and an optimised hull design. An electronically controlled main engine and exhaust-gas treatment systems are also designed to reduce SOx, particulate matter and NOx emissions.
The vessel’s maiden voyage is scheduled to begin next week on Grimaldi’s Asia–East Africa service. GRANDE EGITTO will load approximately 4,150 cars and 6,200 linear metres of rolling cargo at Taicang in China and Yokohama and Nagoya in Japan, before sailing to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Mombasa in Kenya.
The ship’s name reflects Grimaldi’s long-standing connection with Egypt and its regular calls at Alexandria as part of the company’s Euro-Med network.
Source: Grimaldi Group
