The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery from China Merchants Heavy Industry of the 9,800-CEU Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) Grande Egitto.
Sea-news.az reports that the vessel, one of the largest car carriers in the fleet, will begin its first voyage on the Asia–East Africa route next week, transporting automobiles and wheeled equipment from China and Japan to Tanzania and Kenya.
With a gross tonnage of 95,534 GT, the vessel is the 14th Grimaldi ship certified by RINA with the capability to use ammonia as fuel. Measuring 220 metres in length and 38 metres in beam, Grande Egitto shares the distinction of being the group’s largest car carrier with its sister vessel Grande Pacifico, which was delivered in August.
Grande Egitto will begin its maiden voyage on Grimaldi’s Asia–East Africa service next week. The vessel is scheduled to load 4,150 vehicles and 6,200 lane metres of wheeled cargo at the Chinese port of Taicang and the Japanese ports of Yokohama and Nagoya.
The cargo, including excavators, buses and trucks, will be transported to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Mombasa in Kenya.
The PCTC is equipped with a 5 MWh lithium battery pack, a shore power connection system and solar panels covering approximately 2,500 square metres.
Other measures aimed at improving efficiency include an air lubrication system, silicone-based hull coatings, an optimized hull design and an optimized rudder system.
