The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of the Grande Pacifico, its largest Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC) to date, featuring a record-breaking capacity of 9,800 CEU. Built by China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu, the 15-deck vessel is certified as Ammonia-ready by RINA and incorporates advanced eco-technologies, including 5 MWh lithium batteries, 2,500 square meters of solar panels, and an air lubrication system, to cut fuel consumption by half. Set to begin its maiden voyage on the Asia–Europe trade route, the ship reinforces Grimaldi’s long-term commitment to sustainable, high-efficiency deep-sea logistics.
Naples, Italy | August 11, 2026 – The Grimaldi Group has officially taken delivery of the Grande Pacifico, a landmark vessel that now stands as the largest Pure Car & Truck Carrier (PCTC) in the Neapolitan group’s elite fleet.
Delivered from China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu, the giant newbuild marks a major evolution in sustainable maritime transport, featuring an unprecedented cargo capacity and an array of cutting-edge green technologies designed to slash emissions across global shipping lanes.
Key Highlights of the Grande Pacifico
- Record-Breaking Capacity: With an overall length of 220 meters, a beam of 38 meters, a gross tonnage of 95,534, and 15 internal decks, the vessel boasts a massive capacity of 9,800 CEU (Car Equivalent Unit), a 9% increase over Grimaldi’s previous 9,000 CEU generation.
- Ammonia Ready: Certified by the Italian Shipping Register (RINA) with the Ammonia Ready class notation, the ship is engineered for future conversion to run on zero-carbon ammonia.
- Environmental Accolades: The vessel has also earned prestigious RINA class notations including Green Plus, Green Star 3, Comfort Vibration, and Comfort Noise Port.
- Emissions Reduction: Advanced onboard eco-technologies enable the Grande Pacifico to slash fuel consumption by 50% compared to previous-generation car carriers.
- Maiden Voyage: Set to embark from Taicang, China, the vessel’s inaugural journey will follow the Asia–Europe trade lane, carrying over 6,900 vehicles and 900 linear metres of rolling cargo to Antwerp and Southampton.
Engineering for Zero Emissions at Berth and Sea
The Grande Pacifico is packed with state-of-the-art energy efficiency systems and low-carbon technologies:
- Zero Emissions at Port: Equipped with mega lithium-ion batteries featuring a total capacity of 5 MWh and full cold ironing capabilities (shore power supply), the ship can operate completely emission-free while berthed.
- Solar Integration: Features 2,500 square meters of solar panels distributed across the superstructure to harvest clean auxiliary solar energy.
- Advanced Hydrodynamics & Propulsion: Incorporates an optimized hull design, silicone hull coatings to minimize hydrodynamic drag, an air lubrication system, and an innovative gate rudder that significantly enhances both propulsion efficiency and maneuverability.
- Clean Main Engine: Powered by an electronically controlled main engine equipped with advanced exhaust gas treatment systems, reducing sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter (PM), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) well below stringent IMO Tier III limits.
- Diverse Cargo Flexibility: Beyond standard, electric, and conventional vehicles, the ship is specifically designed to safely transport compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles.
Highlighting the strategic significance of the delivery, Emanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group, stated:
“With the delivery of the Grande Pacifico, the Grimaldi Group reaffirms its strategy of investing in an increasingly innovative, efficient and sustainable fleet. 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. Investing in increasingly larger and more efficient vessels, while ensuring they are ready to operate with the fuels of the future, enables us to strengthen our leadership in the sector and provide our customers with state-of-the-art maritime transport services with the lowest possible environmental impact.”
Expanding Global Footprint
The vessel’s name pays direct tribute to the Grimaldi Group’s expanding footprint in the Pacific region, backed by a growing network of regular maritime routes supporting the automotive industry. As the thirteenth Ammonia Ready vessel in the Grimaldi fleet and the pioneer of a new five-vessel series, the Grande Pacifico sets a formidable benchmark for the future of green deep-sea logistics.
About Grimaldi Group
The Grimaldi Group, established in 1947 and wholly owned by the Grimaldi family, is an integrated multinational logistics company and a global leader in the maritime transport sector. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, the Group specializes in the transport of cars, rolling cargo (Ro-Ro), containers, and passengers (Motorways of the Sea).
Grimaldi Group operates an extensive global network across 150 ports and 5 continents with a fleet of over 130 vessels, complemented by its own 20 port terminals and logistics companies. Key subsidiaries like Finnlines (Baltic Sea) and Minoan Lines (Greece) extend its specialized services, confirming its status as Italy’s biggest shipowning group and the world’s leading operator for rolling freight.
Source: Grimaldi Group