On 22 October 2025 the port of Shanghai hosted a ceremony to mark the official naming and delivery of Grande Melbourne, the latest vessel in the Grimaldi Group’s fleet.
This ship is the third in a series of seven advanced, ammonia-ready Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) commissioned from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS).
Designed with cutting-edge technology and sustainability in mind, the Grande Melbourne reflects the Grimaldi Group’s commitment to innovation in maritime transport.
Measuring 200m by 38m, with a gross tonnage of approximately 77,500, Grande Melbourne is designed to transport a wide range of vehicles, including electric and traditionally powered cars, SUVs and vans, as well as other types of rolling cargo.
She boasts a loading capacity of 9,241 Car Equivalent Units (CEU) and features four decks capable of accommodating heavy cargo up to 250 tonnes and 6.5m in height, making her one of the most versatile vessels in her class.
The naming and delivery ceremony was attended by key figures from the maritime and automotive industries. Notable participants included Xu Sha, Deputy General Manager of SWS; Luigi Pacella Grimaldi, Automotive Intercontinental Director of the Grimaldi Group; representatives from Scania, a global leader in inland transport solutions; and Xu Huayan, Director of Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal Co., Ltd.
Xu Huayan was named the godmother of Grande Melbourne, highlighting the strong cooperation between the Grimaldi Group and Shanghai Haitong.
Speaking at the event, Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group, emphasized the strategic importance of the new-generation PCTCs: “Our new-generation PCTCs are setting a new standard in the global transport of vehicles across key global routes, especially those connecting Asia to the rest of the world.”
He also expressed gratitude to SWS for their excellent craftsmanship and to long-standing partners like Scania for their continued trust in Grimaldi’s services.
As part of her maiden voyage on the Grimaldi Group’s Asia-Europe service, Grande Melbourne departed after completing cargo operations in China (at the ports of Taicang and Xiaomo) and Thailand (at Laem Chabang).
She will carry approximately 5,900 cars and 800 lane metres of rolling cargo—including wheel loaders, excavators, tractors, and buses, bound for Northern Europe.
Her route will include calls at major ports such as Southampton, Antwerp, Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven, Setubal, and Tanger Med, before continuing on to Reunion, India, the Persian Gulf, Taiwan, and eventually returning to China.
