The Grande Pacifico was delivered yesterday, becoming the thirteenth Ammonia Ready vessel in the Grimaldi Group fleet and the first of five innovative sister PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) vessels ordered from China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu.
An evolution of the design that gave rise to the first five 9,000 CEU (Car Equivalent Unit) vessels already delivered by the same shipyard, the new units offer even greater cargo capacity while maintaining the exceptionally high standards of energy efficiency, technological innovation and environmental sustainability that distinguish this class of car carrier.
With an overall length of 220 metres, a beam of 38 metres, a gross tonnage of 95,534 and a service speed of 18 knots, the Grande Pacifico features 15 decks one more than the previous five vessels of the same class bringing her cargo capacity to 9,800 CEU, an increase of approximately 9%.
In addition to electric vehicles and conventionally fuelled vehicles, the ship is also designed to transport compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles, further expanding the range of cargoes she can accommodate.
The Grande Pacifico has been awarded the Ammonia Ready class notation by the Italian Shipping Register (RINA), certifying that she can be converted to operate on ammonia as a zero-carbon alternative fuel. Built to the highest standards, the vessel has also received several additional class notations, including Green Plus, Green Star 3, Comfort Vibration and Comfort Noise Port.
Thanks to the numerous environmentally friendly technologies installed on board, the Grande Pacifico is capable of reducing fuel consumption by 50% compared with previous-generation car carriers.
Equipped with mega lithium batteries with a total capacity of 5 MWh and designed for shore power supply (cold ironing) at suitably equipped ports, the vessel can achieve zero emissions while berthed.
She also incorporates the most advanced energy-efficiency solutions, including 2,500 square metres of solar panels, intelligent energy management systems, silicone hull coatings to reduce drag, an air lubrication system, an optimised hull design and the innovative gate rudder, which enhances both propulsion efficiency and manoeuvrability.
In addition, her electronically controlled main engine is fitted with exhaust gas treatment systems that significantly reduce emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx), particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), with the latter well below IMO Tier III limits.
The name of the new vessel reflects the Grimaldi Group\'s growing presence in the Pacific region, which has been strengthened in recent years through an expanding network of regular maritime services supporting the automotive industry and the transport of rolling cargo.
The Grande Pacifico will undertake her maiden voyage on the Asia–Europe service, departing in the coming days from the port of Taicang (China) bound for Antwerp (Belgium) and Southampton (United Kingdom). On board she will transport a cargo of more than 6,900 vehicles and over 900 linear metres of rolling cargo.
"With the delivery of the Grande Pacifico, the Grimaldi Group reaffirms its strategy of investing in an increasingly innovative, efficient and sustainable fleet," said Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group. "The new 9,800 CEU PCTCs represent the natural evolution of the first five vessels in the series, offering even greater cargo capacity and design solutions that further enhance their operational versatility. Investing in increasingly larger and more efficient vessels, while ensuring they are ready to operate with the fuels of the future, enables us to strengthen our leadership in the sector and provide our customers with state-of-the-art maritime transport services with the lowest possible environmental impact."
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