The 9,000-car capacity carrier, Grande Tianjin, was named and handed over on 8 August in Shanghai in a ceremony that also marked the delivery of SWS’s 600th vessel. The ship will depart on its maiden voyage on 19 August, carrying vehicles from Chinese new energy vehicle brand Leapmotor to Europe.
Grande Tianjin is part of a ten-vessel programme that will see five ships built to 9,000 CEU capacity and a further five to 9,800 CEU. The series is being constructed by two Chinese yards: SWS and China Merchants Heavy Industries. The lead vessel, Grande Shanghai, was delivered in July from China Merchants and is the first in the Grimaldi fleet to obtain RINA’s Ammonia Ready class notation.
According to Grimaldi Group, the new generation design developed with Knud E. Hansen will reduce fuel consumption per cargo unit by 50% compared with the previous PCTC generation. The ships are fitted with energy-saving measures including twisted rudders, rudder bulbs with fins, and air lubrication systems. Other features include silicon-based hull coatings, smart ventilation and air conditioning controls, and electronically controlled main engines with exhaust gas cleaning and selective catalytic reduction systems to meet IMO Tier III NOx limits.
The vessels are designed to operate with zero emissions while at berth using medium-voltage shore power systems, supported by 5 MWh lithium battery installations and 2,500 square metres of solar panels. Additional class notations awarded to the lead ship include Green Plus, Green Star 3, Comfort Vibration and Comfort Noise Port.
SWS said the Grande Tianjin’s dock and quayside construction period was 179 days, the fastest achieved for a vessel of its type at the yard.
