Grimaldi’s latest ammonia-ready PCTC

Measuring 200 metres in length with a beam of 38 metres and a gross tonnage of around 77,500 tonnes, the Grande Melbourne has been designed for the transport of a wide range of rolling cargo, including cars, SUVs, vans and heavy equipment. The vessel has a total capacity of 9,241 car equivalent units (CEU), with four decks reinforced for heavy loads of up to 250 tonnes and with clear heights of up to 6.5 metres.

The naming and delivery event was attended by representatives from SWS, CSTC, the Grimaldi Group, Scania, and Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal Co., Ltd. Xu Huayan, Director of Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal, served as the vessel’s godmother, underlining the ongoing cooperation between the terminal operator and the Grimaldi Group.

Grimaldi Group Managing Director Emanuele Grimaldi commented that the new generation of PCTCs “set a new standard in global vehicle transport across key international routes”, while acknowledging the contributions of SWS in the construction of the vessel and long-standing customers such as Scania.

Following cargo operations in China (Taicang and Xiaomo) and Thailand (Laem Chabang), the Grande Melbourne will begin her maiden voyage later this month on the Grimaldi Group’s Asia–Europe service. The vessel will carry approximately 5,900 cars and 800 linear metres of other rolling cargo, including wheel loaders, excavators, tractors and buses, destined for Northern Europe.

Her schedule includes calls at Southampton, Antwerp, Wilhelmshaven, Bremerhaven, Setúbal and Tanger Med, before continuing to Réunion, India, the Persian Gulf, Taiwan and returning to China.

Named after the Australian city of Melbourne, which since 2023 has been served by Grimaldi’s Europe–Oceania service, the vessel is fitted with an electronically controlled main engine offering low specific fuel consumption and compliance with current international limits for CO₂, NOₓ and SOₓ emissions.

By combining increased cargo capacity, optimised hull design and advanced onboard systems, the Grande Melbourne is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions per transported unit by up to 50% compared with previous-generation PCTCs. The ship has received RINA’s “Ammonia Ready” class notation, confirming that she can be converted to use ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel in the future. She is also equipped for shore power connection during port stays, enabling further reduction of emissions where such infrastructure is available.