Grimaldi Group Welcomes Second Ammonia-Ready PCTC, Grande Tianjin

Italian shipping firm Grimaldi Group has recently received the second ammonia-ready pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), Grande Tianjin, from Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC).

The delivery of this 9,000-car capacity PCTC not only signifies a milestone for Grimaldi Group but also marks SWS’s 600th vessel or offshore platform since its inception in 2003 with the delivery of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit Hai Yang Shi You 111.

The Grande Tianjin is a versatile vessel designed to accommodate electric vehicles, conventional fuel cars, and heavy ro-ro cargo. It is equipped with a new low-consumption main engine, integrated energy-saving devices such as a twisted rudder and a rudder bulb with fins, and a medium-voltage shore power system that enables zero emissions while berthed, thereby reducing energy consumption significantly.

Moreover, the vessel holds RINA’s ‘Ammonia Ready’ certification, making it eligible for future conversion to zero-carbon fuels. Its efficient dock and quayside construction period of only 179 days has set a new record for vessels of its kind, according to SWS.

The Grande Tianjin is set to embark on its maiden voyage on August 19, carrying the 1,000,000th pure electric vehicle from Chinese NEV brand Leapmotor to Europe. This voyage marks a significant step towards sustainable transportation and environmental conservation.

Earlier in July 2025, the Grimaldi Group celebrated the naming ceremony for another cutting-edge vessel, the Grande Shanghai, the first of ten next-generation Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels commissioned from China Merchants Heavy Industries. These vessels are part of Grimaldi Group’s commitment to modernizing its fleet and embracing eco-friendly technologies.