The Grimaldi Group has officially taken delivery of its first ammonia-ready Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), Grande Shanghai, marking a major step in the company’s decarbonisation strategy and cementing its role as an early adopter of next-generation marine propulsion technologies.
Built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Weihai) in Jiangsu, China, Grande Shanghai is the first in a series of up to 17 ammonia-ready PCTCs ordered by the Naples-based shipping company. The vessel follows its public naming in July 2025 and is now ready to begin commercial operations.
The 200-metre-long vessel has been designed with dual-fuel capability to run on conventional fuel oil and, when available, ammonia — a carbon-free fuel that is gaining traction in global shipping as part of the industry’s transition to net-zero emissions. The ship incorporates a range of energy-saving features, including:
- A 5 MWh lithium battery system to support zero-emission operations during port stays.
- Solar panels to provide auxiliary power.
- An air-lubrication system that reduces hull resistance.
- A gate rudder for improved manoeuvrability and fuel efficiency.
According to Grimaldi, the design can cut fuel consumption per unit of cargo transported by up to 50% compared to older PCTCs of similar capacity. The vessel is also certified to be upgraded for ammonia operation in the future without extensive retrofitting.
Grande Shanghai will join Grimaldi’s Europe–West Africa trade route, carrying vehicles and rolling cargo for automakers, equipment manufacturers, and other industrial clients. Its entry into service is part of a multi-year fleet renewal programme aimed at reducing emissions intensity while meeting growing demand for vehicle transport.
The delivery also underscores a broader shift in the deep-sea shipping sector. Several global carriers are now opting for ammonia-ready designs, anticipating stricter International Maritime Organization (IMO) decarbonisation targets in the 2030s.
Grimaldi is expected to take delivery of additional ammonia-ready PCTCs over the next two years, with the final units in the series scheduled for handover by 2027.
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