Similarly to BYD’s transporter ship, Geely and SAIC are both using roro ships, so-called roll on/ roll off ships, which specialise in transporting vehicles. BYD had launched its fourth such ship earlier this year with the BYD Shenzhen.
The Geely Holding-owned ‘Geely JISU Fortune’ launched in China for its maiden voyage back in May. The vessel has an overall length of 199.9 meters, a width of 38 meters, a design draught of 8.6 meters and a design speed of 19 knots. This all supports a 12-storey car deck, which can carry the above-mentioned 7,000 cars. Interestingly, “the 11th and 12th decks are specifically used to transport hydrogen and natural gas-fueled new energy vehicles.” The green LNG-fuel-powered vessel will be used to service European markets via the Cape of Good Hope route, as well as the China-Brazil route, “and other strategic pathways,” the manufacturer wrote.
Image: Geely Holding
Image: SAIC Motor
Image: BYD
SAIC launched its own transport ship just a few days prior via its subsidiary Anji Logistics, for which this now marks the 35th ship in the fleet. The company states that it operates China’s largest self-owned car carrier fleet,” consisting of 11 river vessels, 9 domestic trade ships, and 15 foreign trade vessels.” By next year, the company aims to expand its ocean-going fleet to a total of 22 ships, adding route coverage from Western Europe, to the Mediterranean, Mexico, South America’s west coast, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East, which are all major export markets for SAIC.
geely.com, metal.com
