The Grimaldi Group welcomed the Grande Svezia to its fleet, the second in a series of ten next-generation Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels under construction at China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu.
With a length of 220 meters and a width of 38 meters, a gross tonnage of 91,611 tons and a service speed of 18 knots, the Grande Svezia can transport up to 9,000 CEU on 14 decks. Like its sister ship, the Grande Shanghai, delivered less than a month ago, the vessel is designed to transport both electric and combustion vehicles.
The ship is the fourth “Ammonia Ready” vessel in the group’s fleet, designed for its future conversion to ammonia as a carbon-free alternative fuel. During port calls, the PCTC can achieve zero emissions thanks to its 5 MWh lithium battery system and its cold ironing capability, allowing it to draw power directly from shore where facilities are available.
Other energy efficiency features include 2500 square meters of solar panels, silicone-based hull coatings to reduce aerodynamic resistance, and smart ventilation and air conditioning systems. Its electronically controlled main engine is equipped with state-of-the-art exhaust gas treatment systems to reduce sulfur oxides (SOx) and suspended particles (PM), while a selective catalytic reduction system keeps nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions within the limits of the IMO Tier III standard.
Additional innovations to minimize environmental impact include an air lubrication system, an optimized hull design and an innovative “gate rudder”, installed for the first time on PCTC vessels, which consists of two blade-shaped flaps located on each side of the propeller, improving both propulsion efficiency and maneuverability.
The ship is named after Sweden, a country the Grimaldi Group has served regularly for over three decades and where it operates the nation’s only private port, located in Wallhamn.
“With the arrival of the Grande Svezia, we further consolidate our leadership in sustainable shipping. This investment reflects our commitment to supporting the global automotive industry with increasingly advanced, efficient vessels with a reduced environmental footprint,” said Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group.
In the coming days, the Grande Svezia will make its maiden voyage on the East Asia-Persian Gulf route. Departing from the Chinese ports of Taicang and Lianyungang, the vessel is expected to load 3100 vehicles and 5800 linear meters of rolling stock, including buses, trucks, excavators and trailers destined for the Persian Gulf markets.
