Container News — 2026-08-12
Maritime and Ports
The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of Grande Pacifico, a new 9,800 CEU Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC) and the largest car carrier in the Italian group’s fleet.
The vessel is the first of five sister ships ordered from China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu. It is also the 13th Ammonia Ready vessel to join Grimaldi’s fleet.
Grande Pacifico is an evolution of the five 9,000 CEU car carriers previously delivered by the same Chinese shipyard. The new design increases vehicle capacity by approximately 9%.
Grande Pacifico offers capacity for 9,800 CEU
Grande Pacifico measures 220 metres in length and 38 metres in width. It has a gross tonnage of 95,534 and a service speed of 18 knots.
The vessel features 15 decks, one more than the previous five ships in the series. This increases its total loading capacity to 9,800 CEU.
Grande Pacifico can transport both electric and conventionally powered vehicles. It is also designed to carry vehicles powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).
The new vessel has received the Ammonia Ready class notation from Italian classification society RINA. This means the ship is designed for future conversion to use ammonia as a fuel.
It has also received several other class notations, including Green Plus, Green Star 3, Comfort Vibration and Comfort Noise Port.
Grimaldi targets 50% reduction in fuel consumption
According to Grimaldi, the technologies installed aboard Grande Pacifico can reduce fuel consumption by 50% compared with previous-generation car carriers.
The vessel features lithium batteries with a total capacity of 5 MWh. It is also equipped for shore power, allowing it to achieve zero emissions while berthed at ports with suitable infrastructure.
In addition, Grande Pacifico has 2,500 square metres of solar panels.
Other efficiency technologies include an air lubrication system and silicone hull coatings designed to reduce resistance. The vessel also features an optimised hull and a gate rudder to improve propulsion efficiency and manoeuvrability.
An intelligent energy management system is used to manage energy consumption on board.
Meanwhile, the electronically controlled main engine includes exhaust gas treatment systems. These are designed to reduce sulphur oxides, particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions.
Grimaldi said NOx emissions are well below IMO Tier III limits.
Grande Pacifico to join Asia-Europe service
The vessel’s first voyage will take place on Grimaldi’s Asia-Europe service.
Grande Pacifico is expected to depart from Taicang, China, in the coming days. It will then sail to Antwerp, Belgium, and Southampton, United Kingdom.
For its maiden voyage, the vessel will carry more than 6,900 vehicles and over 900 linear metres of rolling cargo.
The ship’s name reflects Grimaldi’s expanding operations in the Pacific region. The group has strengthened its presence there through a growing network of services for the automotive and rolling cargo sectors.
“With the delivery of the Grande Pacifico, the Grimaldi Group reaffirms its strategy of investing in an increasingly innovative, efficient and sustainable fleet,” said Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director, Grimaldi Group.
“The new 9,800 CEU PCTCs represent the natural evolution of the first five vessels in the series, offering even greater cargo capacity and design solutions that further enhance their operational versatility,” added Grimaldi.