Grimaldi takes ammonia-ready car carriers orderbook to 17

Neapolitan shipping company Grimaldi Group has recently exercised an option with Chinese shipbuilder China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) to add two more ammonia-ready Pure Car & Truck Carriers (PCTC) to its fleet.

PHOTO: Grimaldi’s ammonia-ready PCTC concept. Grimaldi

In January, the company inked a deal with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC) – both part of CSSC – to build five ammonia-ready PCTCs.

The agreement had an option of adding two more vessels. Grimaldi has exercised that option recently.

Ammonia-ready means that the vessels will likely run on conventional fuels for now, until they are converted to be able to consume ammonia. There are currently no ships in operation with engines that can run on pure ammonia.

The two new vessels, with a loading capacity of 9,000 CEU (Car Equivalent Units), will also be equipped to use shore power while berthing at ports.

Both vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2026. Upon completion, the PCTCs will cater to the automotive industry and be deployed between Europe, North Africa, the Near and Far East.

Grimaldi currently has 17 ammonia-ready car carriers under construction.

By Tuhin Roy

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