Recently, BYD’s third PCTC (pure car and track carrier) “BYD CHANGZHOU” was launched in Yantai, Shandong Province, China.
Previously, Zodiac Maritime ordered 8 Ro-Ro vessels with a capacity of 7,000 CEU from CIMC Raffles and chartered them to BYD, with a total cost of nearly RMB 5 billion, of which 6 are basically confirmed to be built and the other 2 are option orders.
At the same time, BYD also placed an order for two 7,000 CEU dual-fuel PCTCs with Guangzhou Shipbuilding International (GSI), meaning that the two shipyards in Yantai and Guangzhou will build up to 10 PCTCs for BYD.
In January 2024, the first 7,000 CEU PCTC built by CIMC Raffles for Zodiac Maritime was delivered and departed from Shandong Longkou base. It was named “BYD EXPLORER NO.1” and chartered to BYD by the ship owner.
BYD EXPLORER NO.1 has an overall length of 199.9 meters, a beam of 38 meters and a design draft of 8.6 meters with a design speed of 19 knots and a loading capacity of 7,000 vehicles. Equipped with two sets of C-type LNG tanks, the PCTC uses LNG as its main fuel, which can significantly reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides, and is a new generation of environmentally friendly ships. It has a maximum range of 15,800 nautical miles and is classed by DNV.
BYD EXPLORER NO.1 is also the first car carrier built by a domestic shipyard and specially used for the export of domestic automobiles, which will effectively guarantee the rapid delivery and expansion of BYD’s overseas markets. Meanwhile, the successful delivery of the project has further consolidated the international leading position of China’s shipbuilding enterprises in the field of automobile carriers, and opened up a new road for China’s car companies to go overseas with production capacity.
In addition, on September 20, GSI held a launching ceremony for BYD’s first 7,000 CEU dual-fuel PCTC, “BYD Hefei”.