The Terminal Marítima de Mazatlán Welcomes First BYD Vessel
The Terminal Marítima de Mazatlán (Tmaz), a port controlled by Chilean terminal operator SAAM Terminals, has made history as the first port in Mexico to receive a vessel from the Chinese electric vehicle brand BYD.
The BYD Changzhou, powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), docked at the terminal this week, unloading 2,000 units of electric vehicles bound for central and northern Mexico.
The pure car, truck carrier (PCTC) measures 199.9 meters in length and 38 meters in beam, with a capacity to transport 7,000 cars. Delivered by CIMC Raffles shipyard in late 2024, this vessel marks a significant milestone in sustainable transportation.
“The arrival of the BYD Changzhou at Tmaz solidifies the port as a strategic hub for automotive imports in the Mexican Pacific and emphasizes its crucial role in the shift towards sustainable mobility,” said Mauricio Ortiz, General Manager at Tmaz.
Mazatlan is set to receive a monthly RoRo shipment from BYD, further enhancing its position as a key player in the automotive import sector. In 2024, Tmaz facilitated the transfer of over 160,000 car units, establishing itself as the second-largest Mexican vehicle operator in the Pacific region.
Expanding Chinese Automotive Industry
With China’s automotive industry witnessing rapid growth in electric vehicle exports, the demand for car carrier vessels has surged. This trend is exemplified by the recent launch of CM Hong Kong, the world’s first 9,300 CEU methanol dual-fuel car carrier, in China.
Constructed by China Merchants Industry Haimen Base for shipping company China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES), a subsidiary of China Merchants Group, this innovative vessel signifies the evolution of sustainable transportation solutions.