SAIC Unveils Inaugural Custom Ocean-Going Car Carrier for Enhanced Export Capacity

In a recent update, it was noted that a selection of Chinese automobile manufacturers, including Chery and Nio, had intentions to acquire their very own vehicle transport vessels.

SAIC Motor Corp has successfully concluded the construction of its inaugural custom-designed oceanic car carrier. This achievement sets the stage for increased automobile exports from the prominent Chinese automotive titan moving forward.

The maiden custom oceanic car carrier from Jiangnan Shipyard for SAIC was officially unveiled today, as announced by the automaker.

This state-of-the-art LNG dual-fuel roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel, boasting a capacity for 7,600 vehicles, is scheduled to commence operations next year. Its primary routes will encompass European destinations, as well as forthcoming routes to Australia and New Zealand, according to SAIC’s statements.

A total of 12 innovative oceanic carriers, with capacities ranging from 7,600 to 9,000 vehicles, are set to bolster SAIC Anji Logistics’ fleet between 2024 and 2026, as confirmed by the car manufacturer.

SAIC attributes its procurement of ships to its persistent expansion in international markets. Notably, in 2022, SAIC achieved overseas sales exceeding 1.017 million units, marking a 45.9 percent year-on-year increase and securing its position as China’s leading automaker for the seventh consecutive year.

The January-July period of the current year witnessed SAIC’s overseas sales surpassing 630,000 vehicles. Remarkably, the MG brand recorded an impressive 148 percent year-on-year growth, with sales reaching 135,000 units, as reported by the company.

Highlighting its scale, Anji Logistics is hailed as the globe’s largest automotive logistics enterprise. It boasts an extensive distribution network spanning nearly 600 Chinese cities and over 100 international countries. Additionally, it maintains a substantial annual shipping capacity, capable of accommodating up to 10 million vehicles, as affirmed by SAIC.

With Anji Logistics under its wing, SAIC proudly stands as the Chinese automaker with the most expansive fleet. Its fleet encompasses 30 car carriers, including 11 river vessels, 11 vessels catering to domestic sea trade, and eight specialized vessels dedicated to foreign trade. This fleet has also inaugurated seven international routes, according to SAIC.

Parallel to the surge in China’s automobile exports, the demand for shipping vessels from local car manufacturers has surged significantly. Figures from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) indicate that car exports from China surged by 69 percent year-on-year to reach 2.78 million during the January-July period.

Back in November 27, 2022, maritime information platform Xinde Marine News reported that several Chinese car companies, Chery and Nio included, were considering procuring their own car carriers.

Previously, SAIC’s Anji Logistics had placed orders for five LNG dual-fuel pure car truck carriers (PCTCs) from Jiangnan Shipyard. Moreover, there were speculations that the company was in the process of soliciting bids from shipyards for the construction of an additional seven dual-fuel 8,900 CEU PCTCs.

Today’s developments from SAIC offer partial validation of prior reports from Xinde Marine News. However, there hasn’t been any new information regarding Nio’s custom car carriers since last November.

Furthermore, on January 23 of this year, Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited (GSI) announced that it had secured an order for two PCTCs from BYD.

These dual-fuel PCTCs, adaptable for either LNG or fuel oil, boast a capacity to accommodate up to 7,000 vehicles, as indicated by GSI during the announcement.