After a sort of testing phase lasting a year and a half, the alliance between the Grimaldi shipping group and the Chinese automaker Leapmotor is set to grow.
Leapmotor International (Lpmi), the Stellantis-led joint venture for marketing Leapmotor cars outside China, has indeed announced “the expansion of its logistics partnership with the Grimaldi Group. This collaboration represents an important milestone in the orchestration of the automotive supply chain, having successfully delivered nearly 100,000 vehicles from China to Europe in the last 18 months, of which over 20,000 units destined for the Italian market in the period January-March 2026.”
The operation was carried out through a structured program of 15 voyages in the first quarter of 2026, connecting China with various European entry ports (Antwerp, Portbury, Valencia, Vigo, Setúbal, Livorno, Civitavecchia and Gioia Tauro). The program utilizes the Grimaldi Group’s new generation fleet of Pure Car & Truck Carriers (Pctc), including the Grande Svezia, the Grande Michigan, the Grande Istanbul and the Grande Tianjin. These vessels represent part of a major investment in 17 new Pctcs, each with a capacity exceeding 9,000 Ceu.
Beyond maritime transit, the partnership is based on Grimaldi’s integrated logistics platform and its substantial infrastructure investments. These facilities, including key hubs in Italy and further strategic positions across Europe, play a central role in supporting the operation. Extending over nearly six million square meters of equipped port areas, they enable highly efficient and streamlined vehicle handling processes, including preparation, maintenance and battery charging.
“Logistics is a key differentiating factor and a strategic lever for competitiveness in the modern automotive sector,” explained Alessandro Furnò, Vice President Global Supply Chain & Purchasing of Lpmi. “Our ability to manage such a complex ecosystem, supported by a reliable partner like the Grimaldi Group, is a pillar of our commercial success. This partnership ensures that our logistics capabilities evolve in step with our technology, consolidating our position in the European market.”
“We are proud to support Leapmotor International in this transformative phase of its European expansion,” stated Luigi Pacella Grimaldi, Director of Intercontinental Automotive for the Grimaldi Group. “This is more than a simple service contract; it is a long-term partnership based on trust and collaboration. We remain committed to providing the scalable and customized logistics solutions necessary to support Lpmi’s volume growth.”
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