The Grimaldi Group has presented its 13th ammonia-ready pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), Grande Istanbuljust days after taking delivery of Great Eastalso ammonia-ready.
The presentation of the Grande Istanbul took place at Autoport in Kocaeli, Türkiye. One of 17 latest-generation ammonia-ready PCTCs ordered by the company, the vessel has a capacity of up to 9,241 CEU. It is designed to transport both electric and conventionally powered vehicles, as well as other rolling cargo.
Built by the Chinese shipyards Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Co. (CSTC), both part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), the vessel is 200m long with a beam of 38m.
Grande Istanbul has been deployed on the EuroMed service, linking ports in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, including several ports in Türkiye.
The ceremony also highlighted Grimaldi’s long-standing presence in the country, where it has operated for almost five decades. The company currently deploys around 20 Ro-Ro vessels and PCTCs in Türkiye, representing an investment of approximately €1.2bn.
Great East
Built by China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu, the 220 metres-long and 36 metres-wide Great East has a capacity of 9,000 CEU. The vessel has received an Ammonia Ready notation from the Italian classification society RINA, allowing for future conversion to ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel.
Vessels join sister ships Greater Shanghai, Greater Sweden, Greater Michigan and Great England. According to Grimaldi, both vessels incorporate a range of efficiency measures that reduce fuel consumption by 50% compared with earlier-generation car carriers.
Great East is scheduled to begin its maiden voyage on the Asia–Europe trade, departing Taicang, China, for Portbury, UK, carrying more than 6,200 cars and 700 linear metres of rolling cargo.
