The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of the ‘Grande Pacifico’, first of a new class of five 9800 CEU PCTC vessels, and the 13th ammonia- ready ship in the Grimaldi Group fleet.
Built at the China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu shipyard, Grande Pacifico is an evolution of the previous design of five 9,000 CEU vessels already delivered by the same yard. The latest class offers greater cargo capacity while maintaining the high standards of energy efficiency, technological innovation and environmental sustainability the recent Grimaldi car carriers.
With an overall length of 220m, a beam of 38m, tonnage of 95,534gt and a service speed of 18 knots, the Grande Pacifico features 15 decks — one more than the previous five vessels — increasing cargo capacity by approximately 9%. In addition to electric vehicles and conventionally fuelled vehicles, the ship is 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 it can be converted to operate on ammonia as a zero-carbon alternative fuel. Built to high standards, the vessel has 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 lithium batteries with a total capacity of 5MWh and designed for shore power supply (cold ironing) at suitably equipped ports, the vessel can achieve zero emissions while berthed, and incorporates advanced energy-efficiency solutions, including 2,500m2 of solar panels, intelligent energy management systems, silicone hull coatings to reduce drag, an air lubrication system, an optimised hull design and an innovative gate rudder, which enhances both propulsion efficiency and manoeuvrability. In addition, the electronically controlled main engine is fitted with exhaust gas treatment systems that significantly reduce emissions of SOx, particulate matter and 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 maiden voyage will be on the Asia–Europe service, departing from the port of Taicang (China) bound for Antwerp (Belgium) and Southampton (UK), carrying more than 6,900 vehicles and over 900 linear metres of rolling cargo.
Emanuele Grimaldi, Grimaldi Group MD, said: “With the delivery of the Grande Pacifico, the Grimaldi Group reaffirms its strategy of investing in an increasingly innovative, efficient and sustainable fleet. 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.”
Image: ‘Grande Pacifico’ (source: Grimaldi Group)
