The first LNG dual-fuel car carriers operated by China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited were named recently and have made their maiden voyages. The ships, which each have the capacity to transport 7,500 cars, represent a milestone for China’s carrier fleet as it enters the era of “large vessels” and “new energy”.
Liaohekou will transport more than 5,000 cars from brands such as BAIC, Liuzhou Motor, BYD and Chery to Europe, while its sister ship Minjiangkou will carry upwards of 4,800 cars to the Persian Gulf after completing loading operations in Shanghai.
In recent years, COSCO Shipping has focused on addressing changes to the export process for automobiles, actively coordinating the advantages of shipping, port and logistics resources to provide comprehensive support to Chinese car manufacturers that are exporting to foreign markets.
COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers has developed a combined transport model of “roll-on/roll-off car carrier + heavy lift vessel + dedicated frame with multi-purpose ship”, actively expanding car transport to meet the diverse needs of manufacturers.
COSCO Shipping has opened 157 routes, covering 60 ports, providing 310 products, and expanding export coverage. Additionally, the company has improved its global port layout, establishing a global terminal operation pattern with 38 ports and 371 berths worldwide, centered on the Chinese market and continuously growing international markets, while offering various extended services. In 2023, COSCO transported 429,000 vehicles, and in the first half of this year, it transported 215,000 vehicles, a year-on-year increase of 7.5 percent, contributing maritime strength to the global reach of “Made in China”.
The first LNG dual-fuel 7,500-capacity car carriers operated by China COSCO Shipping make their maiden voyages. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
While providing customers with a safe and stable logistics supply chain service, COSCO Shipping is actively promoting capacity building to create a large, modern, technologically-advanced and environmentally-friendly professional fleet for China’s automobile exports.
Since 2022, COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers and its joint venture COSCO Shipping Car Carriers have ordered 24 large modern LNG dual-fuel carriers, with capacities ranging from 7,000 to 8,600 cars.
In addition to Liaohekou and Minjiangkou, five new ships will be delivered and put into operation in the second half of this year, with another 11 expected to be delivered next year and six in 2026. By then, a professional fleet of about 30 specialized car carriers with an annual transport capacity of 700,000 vehicles will be in operation. 80 percent of this fleet will be clean energy vessels.
Green and intelligent development is the future of the global shipping industry. The new vessels are designed to meet the strict TIER III emission standards of the International Maritime Organization, incorporating several advanced green technologies to significantly reduce energy consumption and emissions when in operation.
Compared to traditional oil-powered car carriers, the new vessels can save about 20 percent of energy, reduce carbon emissions by about 27 percent, nitrogen oxides by 30 percent, sulfur oxides by 99 percent, and particulate matter by over 90 percent. When operating, the ships can achieve a carbon reduction rate of over 24 percent.
For a typical roundtrip between China and Europe, replacing fuel oil with LNG can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 2,100 tons per journey.
(Executive editor: Zhu Zeya)
