The naming and delivery ceremony of the Grande Inghilterra was held yesterday in Shanghai. Commissioned from China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu, this is the eleventh ammonia-ready PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) for the Grimaldi Group, meaning she is designed for future conversion to ammonia as a carbon-free alternative fuel.
Like her sister vessels already in service – Grande Shanghai, Grande Svezia and Grande Michigan – the new unit stands out for her high cargo capacity and reduced environmental impact, achieved through innovative design and numerous advanced technological solutions installed on board.
Across her 14 decks, she can transport both electric vehicles and those powered by fossil fuels, with a maximum capacity of 9,000 CEU (Car Equivalent Units).
Thanks to the many green technologies adopted on board – including solar panels, mega lithium batteries, and cold ironing readiness – the Grande Inghilterra can reduce fuel consumption by 50% compared to previous-generation car carrier vessels.
The ship’s name pays tribute to England, where the Grimaldi Group has been active for around 70 years. Today, this presence is reflected not only in regular maritime services – operated under the Grimaldi Lines, Finnlines, and Atlantic Container Line brands – linking major English ports with those on five continents, but also in a well-established network of local offices and agencies.
Among those attending the naming ceremony were Mei Zhonghua, Chairman and General Manager of CMHI, and Luigi Pacella Grimaldi, Automotive Intercontinental Director of the Grimaldi Group.
A delegation from BAIC Foton International, a Chinese manufacturer specializing in commercial vehicles, pick-up trucks and buses, also took part in the event. The company relies on the Grimaldi Group as a strategic logistics partner for exports to Africa, the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean. As a testament to an increasingly strong partnership, the role of godmother of the Grande Inghilterra was entrusted to Wang Qiuxiang, Vice President of R&D at BAIC Foton International.
“Investing in the construction of cutting-edge vessels like the Grande Inghilterra means making a concrete contribution to the energy transition of maritime transport, while also meeting our customers’ needs with increasingly high-quality services,” said Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group. “This is how we intend to continue supporting global logistics chains: by constantly raising our standards in terms of efficiency and sustainability.”
The Grande Inghilterra is already ready for her maiden voyage: carrying 6,500 cars and 800 linear meters of other rolling cargo (buses, trucks, industrial machinery), she will depart in the coming days from Taicang (China) bound for Suape (Brazil) and Antwerp (Belgium).
Main technologies on board the Grande Inghilterra
With length of 220 metres and beam of 38 metres, the Grande Inghilterra has a gross tonnage of 93,145 tonnes and a cruising speed of 18 knots.
The Ammonia Ready notation issued by the Italian Shipping Register (RINA) certifies that she can be converted to operate on ammonia as a zero carbon-emission alternative fuel.
Built to the highest sustainability and comfort standards, the Grande Inghilterra has also been awarded Green Plus, Green Star 3, Comfort Vibration and Comfort Noise Port class notations.
The vessel is equipped with mega lithium batteries with a total capacity of 5 MWh and cold ironing capability, allowing her to draw electricity directly from shore where facilities are available. Both systems allow her to achieve zero emissions while in port.
She incorporates the most advanced energy-efficiency technologies, including 2,500 square metres of solar panels, silicon-based hull coatings to reduce resistance, and smart systems for optimising ventilation and air conditioning. Her electronically controlled engine features an exhaust gas cleaning system to reduce sulphur oxide (SOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions, and selective catalytic reduction to limit nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions below TIER III levels.
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 – consisting of two foil-shaped blades positioned on either side of the propeller, enhancing both propulsion efficiency and manoeuvrability.
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