The event marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Neapolitan group and Leapmotor. In a few days, the ship will depart from Shanghai bound for Northern Europe, carrying its first load, which includes, among other Leapmotor vehicles, 1,000 new electric SUVs.
Shanghai – This morning, at the port of Shanghai, the christening and delivery ceremony of the ship Grande Tianjin of the Grimaldi Group took place. The event marks a significant milestone not only for the Italian shipping group but also for Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company Limited (SWS) and Leapmotor International. The Grande Tianjin is the first of seven modern PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) vessels commissioned by the Grimaldi Group from the shipyards SWS and CSTC (China Shipbuilding Trading Company Limited) – two companies part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC). With its delivery, the 600th ship built by SWS is celebrated: an exceptional milestone that demonstrates the shipyard’s experience, quality, and central role in the development of maritime innovation. The event also symbolizes the start of an even stronger and more strategic partnership between the Grimaldi Group and Leapmotor. In a few days, the Grande Tianjin will depart from Shanghai bound for Northern Europe, carrying its first load – which includes, among other Leapmotor vehicles, as many as 1,000 new electric SUVs.
Among the participants in the ceremony were Chen Gang, Chairman of SWS, Tianshu Xin, CEO of Leapmotor International, and Luigi Pacella Grimaldi, Automotive Intercontinental Director of the Grimaldi Group. “The Grande Tianjin is the first collaboration between SWS and the Grimaldi Group, as well as the first PCTC built by SWS with a capacity of 9,000 CEU. – stated Chen Gang – To ensure successful delivery, all teams involved worked in close collaboration. As verified, the ship’s performance data aligns with the design specifications, and the quality of the work has been recognized by all parties involved.”
Tianshu Xin added: “Chinese innovation in electric vehicles is setting sail to the world, and Leapmotor is proud to lead this movement. Today, with excellent partners like Grimaldi, we are present in over 30 countries, with more than 1,500 sales and service points worldwide, and over 800,000 smart electric vehicles delivered.”
“The delivery of the Grande Tianjin by SWS represents an important step forward in our commitment to sustainable and efficient vehicle transport along major global routes and, specifically, those connecting Asia to the rest of the world – said Emanuele Grimaldi, CEO of the Grimaldi Group – In recent years, we have invested heavily to strengthen our connections with China and more broadly with the Asian region. Leading automakers, such as Leapmotor, continue to place their trust in us, and we remain committed to exceeding their expectations, adapting to their ever-evolving needs.”
With a length of 200 meters, a width of 38 meters, and a gross tonnage of approximately 77,500 tons, the Grande Tianjin was designed for the transport of vehicles (cars, SUVs, vans, etc.), both electric and powered by traditional fuels, as well as any other type of rolling cargo. Specifically, it has a loading capacity of 9,241 CEU (Car Equivalent Unit), with four decks also dedicated to the transport of other rolling goods, including heavy loads up to 250 tons and heights up to 6.5 meters. In particular, thanks to its dimensions that maximize loading capacity, the proven ship design, innovative engineering, and state-of-the-art systems, the Grande Tianjin significantly reduces CO2 emissions per transported cargo by up to 50% compared to previous-generation PCTC units.
The Grimaldi Group has been Leapmotor’s logistics partner since 2022, providing 22,500 CEU of vehicle handling capacity per month between Asia and Europe. In the first seven months of 2025, Leapmotor recorded a combined domestic and export sales volume of 271,793 units, becoming the No. 1 NEV brand among startups in China. Leapmotor International now has over 1,500 sales and service points in more than 30 markets. The Grimaldi Group’s global strategic network enables extensive geographical coverage and a significant reduction in distribution costs, thanks to optimized routes and established connections. In particular, the flexibility of services to and from Asian ports is ensured by a fleet of over 20 PCTC and Ro/Ro vessels, offering adaptable capacity and allowing efficient management of priorities based on demand.
The Grande Tianjin will be deployed on the East Asia–Northern Europe service. It is the first unit delivered out of the 17 “ammonia-ready” PCTC vessels ordered by the Grimaldi Group from Chinese shipyards. The remaining 16 will be delivered starting from late August 2025 through 2027.
