The Grimaldi Group has welcomed the GRANDE SVEZIA into its fleet, the second in a series of ten next-generation PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) vessels being built at China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu. With a length of 220 meters and a beam 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 (Car Equivalent Units) on 14 decks. Like its sister vessel, the GRANDE SHANGHAI, delivered less than a month ago, the ship is designed to carry both electric and combustion engine vehicles.
The GRANDE SVEZIA is equipped with a series of advanced green technologies. It is the fourth ‘Ammonia Ready’ vessel in the Grimaldi Group fleet, designed for future conversion to ammonia as a carbon-free alternative fuel. During port stays, the vessel 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 2,500 square meters of solar panels, silicone-based hull coatings to reduce 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 sulphur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM), while a selective catalytic reduction system keeps nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions within the limits of the IMO Tier III standard.
Air Lubrication System
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. This rudder consists of two blade-shaped fins, located on either side of the propeller, which improves both propulsion efficiency and maneuverability.
Built to the highest standards of sustainability and comfort, the GRANDE SVEZIA has been awarded the Green Plus, Green Star 3, Comfort Vibration and Comfort Noise Port certifications. Compared to previous generation car carriers, the GRANDE SVEZIA offers up to 50% lower fuel consumption.
The vessel is named after Sweden, a country the Grimaldi Group has been serving regularly for over three decades and where it operates the country’s only private port, located in Wallhamn. “With the arrival of the GRANDE SVEZIA, we further consolidate our leadership in sustainable shipping,” said Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group. This investment reflects our commitment to supporting the global automotive industry with increasingly advanced, efficient, and lower environmental impact vessels.
In the coming days, the GRANDE SVEZIA will make its maiden voyage on the East Asia-Persian Gulf route, a key trade lane for the automotive and industrial sectors. Departing from the Chinese ports of Taicang and Lianyungang, the vessel is expected to load 3,100 vehicles and 5,800 linear meters of rolling stock, including buses, trucks, excavators, and trailers, destined for the Persian Gulf markets.
