Chang Tai Hong, one of the CMES PCTC Photo: VesselFinder
The car transport market continues to expand and China Merchants (CMES), the second state-owned shipping group, has ordered two 9,300-unit pure methanol car and truck carriers (PCTC) from its subsidiary China Merchants Heavy Industry. , with options for another four of the ships.
The newbuilds, at $96 million each, are believed to be the first methanol-burning PCTCs and will be delivered between H2 25 and H1 26.
CMES, which launched ocean vehicle shipping operations last year, said: “Taking advantage of China’s growth in electric vehicles and other automotive exports, and changes in the cross-border automotive supply chain, Chinese shipowners have broad prospects in the international world -ro shipping market.
“We are seizing opportunities from the development of domestic auto exports, expanding the company’s international ro-ro business. With direct access to rivers and oceans, the company will improve its domestic and ocean vehicle transportation operations.”
Statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers show that China exported 3.1 million cars last year, up 54% from last year, beating forecasts of 2.4 million , which will not only increase China’s market share in the global automobile market, but also boost the development of the automobile. logistics
According to observers, the supply and demand for PCTC needed to ship China’s auto exports is out of balance, prompting automakers such as SAIC to set up in-house shipping companies and order their own ships.
For example, Metro Shipping said: “China’s vehicle export volumes increased by 56.9% year-on-year in 2022, and export value growth was substantial at 74.8%, which leading the Chinese car manufacturer Chery to develop a car transporter construction base in Weihai to meet its growing car transporter demands, by building batches of 6,000 car transporters.
90 PCTCs were ordered last year, almost tripling the 38 vessels booked in 2021.
CMES added that choosing methanol as a fuel option complied with its environmental, social and government policy. He said the PCTCs would be equipped with the world’s first 60-cylinder methanol internal combustion engine. He added: “While the main engine can use green methanol, it can still use marine diesel when needed, ensuring fuel flexibility.”
