On August 8, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, delivered the first 9,000 CEU PCTC (pure car and track carrier) “GRANDE TIANJIN” built for the Italian company Grimaldi.
“GRANDE TIANJIN” delivered this time, is the first 9,000 CEU PCTC built by Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding for Grimaldi. With a standard loading capacity of 9,000 vehicles, the PCTC is compatible with electric vehicles, conventional fuel vehicles, and heavy ro-ro cargos. The vessel features a new low-fuel-consumption main engine and integrates multiple energy-saving devices, significantly reducing energy consumption. The vessel has also obtained RINA’s “Ammonia Ready” certification, preserving technical capabilities for future zero-carbon fuel conversions.
It is reported that the PCTC “GRANDE TIANJIN” is scheduled to set sail on its maiden voyage on August 19, carrying the 100th pure electric vehicle of Leapmotor, a Chinese new energy vehicle brand, and heading for Europe.
With the naming and delivery of the “GRANDE TIANJIN”, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has also achieved the goal of delivering 600 vessels. Seizing the opportunity of the market upturn, Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has thoroughly implemented the high-quality development strategy of “cruise-led, integrated two wings”. Relying on outstanding technological innovation and modern management, it has continuously made breakthroughs in the field of high-tech vessels, steadily consolidated its leading position in the global shipbuilding market, achieved leapfrog development, and made new achievements in the transformation of product structure.
During the construction of the sixth hundred-vessel phase, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding successfully delivered and put into operation the first domestically built large cruise ship, “Adora Magic City”, on November 4, 2023, following eight years of research and development and five years of design and construction. This marks a milestone in the history of China’s shipbuilding industry and a symbolic step forward in China’s transition from a large shipbuilding nation to a strong shipbuilding power. Currently, the construction of the second domestically built large cruise ship, “Adora Flora City”, is progressing as planned, with key milestones such as construction start, launchng and floating already achieved.
During this period, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding delivered a batch of 7,000 TEU container ships, achieving an impressive average of 2 deliveries per month and ranking first globally in this sector. It successfully delivered the world’s first 209,000 DWT Newcastle bulk carrier powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual fuel, the “Emerald Hill”, pioneering the gradual shift to dual-fuel systems in the global cargo ship sector. Additionally, it delivered the world’s first wind-assisted Aframax product tanker, offering diverse options for the green and low-carbon transformation of the global shipping industry and demonstrating Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding’s determination and capability to provide green and sustainable development solutions to the industry.
The jack-up drilling platform project was successfully concluded, with multiple 2.3 million-barrel “general purpose” FPSOs delivered in succession, consolidating the company’s leading position in the design and construction of marine engineering equipment in China. Notably, on November 4, 2024, Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding delivered the fifth FPSO in its series, the “Jaguar”, marking it as the first shipyard in China to surpass a total delivered deadweight tonnage of 100 million tons, thus writing a new chapter in the development of China’s shipbuilding industry.