Grand Detroit launched

The ?Grande Detroit?, a newbuilding ordered by Grimaldi-Naples, was launched recently by the Croatian shipbuilder Uljanik Yard. This multi-purpose car carrier is the ninth of a 14-ship contract awarded by the Italian shipowner to the Uljanik Yard.

This 36,000gt vessel is 176 metres long with a 31,10 metre beam and can carry 4,600 cars and 100 trailer mounted containers or, alternatively, 256 trucks and 2,000 cars. The ship has a maximum speed of 20 knots. The success of these Grimaldi-Naples vessels can be attributed to their high degree of cargo flexibility which enables them to carry any size or weight of wheeled vehicle on 11 decks which can be raised to a height of 5 metres to accommodate trucks, tractors, double-decker buses, rail cars and earth construction plant.

A further five vessels will follow the ?Grande Detroit? from the Uljanik yard for delivery to Grimaldi-Naples from 2006 to 2009.