Capable of carrying 10,800 vehicles! The largest car carrier ever built in China has been launched from its dock in Nansha, Guangzhou.

The No. 1 LNG dual-fuel car carrier with a capacity of 10,800 vehicles was launched at Nansha, Guangzhou. Photo by Zhong Wei.

The No. 1 LNG dual-fuel car carrier (PCTC) with a capacity of 10,800 vehicles, built by China Shipbuilding Guangzhou Ship International for South Korea’s HMM, has been launched at Nansha, Guangzhou.

It is understood that this vessel was jointly developed by Guangzhou Shipyard International and the Shanghai Ship Research and Design Institute. It is currently the largest car carrier being built in China, specifically designed to meet the needs of transporting new-energy vehicles by sea while promoting energy conservation and emission reduction. The vessel can carry up to 10,800 vehicle spaces, with the vehicles loaded end-to-end stretching over 40 kilometers. Its 14-deck car deck design—including five movable decks—allows for flexible loading of roll-on/roll-off cargo such as electric vehicles and heavy-duty trucks, with a maximum single-item load capacity of 250 tons. The vessel fully meets the diverse demands of global automotive trade.

The vessel is equipped with a dual-fuel propulsion system powered by LNG and marine fuel, and it features reserved interfaces for ammonia- and methanol-fueled propulsion systems. It also incorporates Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology, enabling compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s most stringent Tier III emission standards and achieving an internationally leading level in energy conservation and emissions reduction.

According to a responsible person from Guangzhou Shipyard International, the vessel has emerged from dry dock in excellent condition, marking the success of the earlier construction planning. During the project’s advancement, the team faced unprecedented technical challenges and heightened safety management pressures—particularly with regard to its core power supply system: the “double-ear tank” LNG fuel tank compartment, which was adopted for the first time. Despite these challenges, the project team successfully implemented a high-standard, full-process, and meticulously controlled management system, ensuring the smooth progress of the project. Currently, the functional integrity of the ship’s ramps below Deck 8 has been fully achieved, and the work to lay anti-slip sand on the ramps below Deck 5 has also been completely finished.