The Grimaldi Group has officially taken delivery of the Grande Manila, a state-of-the-art Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC), marking a significant milestone in the company’s fleet renewal and decarbonization strategy, according to Hansa.news Global. The vessel was christened during a ceremony at the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) yard, attended by key executives and international partners.
Built by SWS and CSTC (subsidiaries of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation), the Grande Manila is a massive 200-meter-long, 38-meter-wide unit with a gross tonnage of approximately 77,500 GT.
Designed for maximum versatility, the vessel boasts a capacity of 9,241 CEU (Car Equivalent Units). It is engineered to transport a diverse range of rolling cargo, including:
Passenger Vehicles: Cars, SUVs, and vans.
Heavy Freight: Four flexible decks accommodate loads up to 250 tons and 6.5 meters in height, such as buses and construction machinery.
The Grande Manila is the seventh “Ammonia-Ready” ship to join the Grimaldi fleet. Classified by RINA (the Italian Classification Society), the vessel is prepared for future conversion to ammonia, a CO₂-free alternative fuel.
Current environmental features include:
Emission Reductions: An electronically controlled main engine reduces CO₂ emissions per unit transported by up to 50% compared to previous PCTC generations.
Shore Power: Equipped for “Cold Ironing,” allowing the ship to plug into port grids for zero-emission operations while docked.
Strict Compliance: Full adherence to the latest international limits for NOx and SOx.
Strengthening Ties with the Philippines
The vessel’s name pays tribute to the Philippines, a nation central to Grimaldi’s operational and human resources strategy. The ship was blessed by Godmother Doris Ho, President and CEO of the Magsaysay Group, celebrating a decade-long partnership that employs thousands of Filipino seafarers.
“The Philippines plays an increasingly vital role for our Group,” stated Luigi Pacella Grimaldi, Automotive Intercontinental Director. “This vessel reflects our commitment to the region, following the launch of our new China-Batangas connection and our plans to expand to other Philippine ports, including Manila.”
The Grande Manila departs Taicang this week for its maiden voyage on the Asia-Europe service. The ship will carry over 5,800 cars and 1,300 linear meters of rolling cargo. Scheduled port calls include the United Kingdom, Spain, and Belgium, with further distribution through Grimaldi’s central hub in Antwerp. The vessel is expected to return to China by late April.
