On February 18, Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD Company Limited, said that BYD has stepped into ro-ro ship business, and its first ro-ro vessel “BYD EXPLORER NO.1” has started the maiden voyage, in January 2024. In the next two years, BYD will have seven more ro-ro vessels coming into operation to alleviate the shortage of export capacity.
It is reported that “BYD EXPLORER NO.1” is chartered to BYD by Zodiac Maritime, which is the first ro-ro vessel for BYD. Built by CIMC Raffles, a subsidiary of CIMC Group, the ro-ro vessel is also the first car carrier built in China, which specialized in the export of domestic cars.
Notably, in January 2023, Guangzhou International Shipbuilding (GSI), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), took into effect an order for the construction of two 7,000 ceu dual-fuel PCTCs (car car carriers), which is BYD’s first order for car carriers as a shipowner. The first PCTC of this series has started construction in November 2023.
With an overall length of 199.9 meters, a beam of 38 meters, a design draft of 9 meters and a design speed of 18.5 knots, the 7,000 ceu dual-fuel PCTC adopts a natural gas (LNG)/fuel oil dual-fuel power supply system, which meets the requirements for intelligent vessels. Equipped with battery system and axle-belt generator, as well as adopting various energy-saving measures such as energy-saving devices and drag-reducing anti-fouling paint, it is a green, intelligent, environmentally friendly and efficient car carrier.