China is making waves—literally—as its automakers launch massive ocean-going car carriers to boost global exports. On Thursday, the country delivered one of the world’s largest car carrier vessels, which set sail for Europe loaded with 7,000 domestically produced new energy vehicles.
The colossal vessel was built by SAIC Anji Logistics Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited. With a maximum capacity of 9,500 standard vehicles and a top speed of 19 knots, it’s a game-changer for China’s auto industry.
“Later, we will put seven more super-large car carriers into service,” said Zhuang Jingxiong, general manager of SAIC Anji Logistics. “Our ocean shipping routes for finished vehicles will cover all major car markets around the world, with more than 100 destinations.”
Building a Fleet for Global Reach
As Chinese automakers like BYD and Chery accelerate their global expansion, the need for domestic shipping capacity has become urgent. For decades, the global car shipping market has been dominated by Japanese and South Korean firms. High chartering fees, shipping delays, and limited cargo space have increased costs and strained profit margins for China’s automakers.
To tackle this challenge, SAIC Anji Logistics has invested 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.4 billion) to build a fleet of 12 ultra-large roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ships, each capable of carrying over 7,600 vehicles. This move is expected to reduce per-vehicle shipping costs by about 10%.
“Shifting from ‘borrowing ships to go abroad’ to ‘building our own ships for long-distance voyages’ not only enhances the resilience and stability of the supply chain but also helps break the monopoly in international shipping,” said Liu Yan, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. “More importantly, it allows China’s auto industry to gain a stronger voice in the global value chain and enables Chinese brands to go global with greater confidence.”
Innovations Steer Toward a Greener Future
These new-generation homegrown ro-ro ships aren’t just big—they’re advanced and environmentally friendly. The Anji Ansheng, for instance, is designed with a methanol fuel reserve. Meanwhile, the BYD Shenzhen, another giant in the fleet, can run on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and traditional marine fuels, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 23% compared to conventional vessels.
The BYD Shenzhen is also equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including self-developed photovoltaic energy storage systems that achieve zero carbon emissions during loading and unloading operations.
BYD and Chery Set Sail
In late April, BYD delivered its fourth large car carrier in Jiangsu Province, ahead of the ship’s maiden voyage to Brazil. With a capacity to carry over 9,000 vehicles, the automaker’s fleet transported more than 25,000 new energy vehicles to overseas markets in the first quarter of the year, according to Gao Xiaolin, a shipping operations employee at BYD.
BYD plans to deliver its next ro-ro ship, the BYD Xi’an, mid-year, and aims to have all eight of its ro-ro ships in operation by the end of the year.
Chery Automobile is also on board with this initiative. On January 21, the company’s first ocean-going car carrier set sail for Europe. Chery plans to put its second ship into service in June and is building a third one.
Navigating Towards Global Leadership
By investing in their own fleets of mega car carriers, China’s automakers are not only reducing costs but also asserting themselves on the global stage. These developments signal a shift in the international automotive landscape, as Chinese brands expand their reach and influence.
