Expanded car-carrying vessel fleet spurs shipping capacity

The expansion of China's car-carrying vessel fleet will diminish domestic automakers' dependence on foreign shipowners, thus reinforcing the country's export capabilities and effectively addressing supply chain disruptions, said experts and shipbuilders on Thursday.

Their comments came following the departure of China's largest dual-fuel-powered car carrier from Shanghai to Europe on Wednesday. The maiden voyage of the vessel will carry 5,000 vehicles manufactured in China to Europe. At least half of these cars being transported are new energy vehicles, according to information released by Shanghai Customs.

This move represents the first investment in a car carrier by SAIC Anji Logistics Co, a logistics unit owned by Shanghai-based SAIC Motor Corp Ltd. The vessel, built by China State Shipbuilding Corp Ltd, is capable of accommodating up to 7,600 vehicles. Its dual-fuel engines are able to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent compared to traditional fuel engines.