Sallaum Lines has signed an agreement with China Merchants Shipyard for an additional 1+1 LNG dual-fuel 8,600 CEU PCTC, scheduled for delivery in 2029. This new contract pushes the company’s total active newbuilding programme to nine vessels, representing a cumulative investment valued at above USD 850 million.
Cyprus | July 28, 2026 – In a strategic move highlighting the ongoing structural evolution of global automotive logistics, Sallaum Lines has officially signed a new shipbuilding contract with China Merchants Shipyard for the construction of one plus one (1+1) additional 8,600 CEU (Car Equivalent Unit) Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC).
Scheduled for delivery in 2029, this latest firm order comes directly on the heels of a separate high-profile agreement with Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. for two firm 8,600 CEU vessels (plus two options). Together, these intensive capital deployments push Sallaum Lines’ total active newbuilding programme to nine advanced vessels, representing a cumulative investment valued at above USD 850 million.
Fleet Expansion Pipeline at a Glance
Sallaum Lines’ comprehensive fleet renewal and expansion strategy is designed to inject modern, high-efficiency tonnage into deep-sea trades connecting Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
The updated delivery schedule tracks as follows:
- Already Delivered: 4 vessels
- Imminent Deliveries (2026):
- 1 vessel scheduled for August 2026
- 1 vessel scheduled for December 2026
- Next-Generation 8,600 CEU Pipeline (2029): 3 firm units (including the latest China Merchants agreement and ongoing commitments)
Navigating a Structurally Tight PCTC Market
The global PCTC sector remains one of the most specialized and supply-constrained segments within international shipping. Unlike dry bulk or containerized shipping markets, car carriers are highly custom assets controlled by a concentrated group of specialized operators. With the global deep-sea fleet hovering in the high-700 vessel range, modern, high-capacity tonnage is at an absolute premium.
Hasan Sallaum, Managing Director, Sallaum Lines, said “Only weeks after our 2+2 order at Xiamen Shipbuilding, we are pleased to confirm an additional One+One 8,600 CEU vessel. This shows the momentum behind our fleet renewal programme and our confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the PCTC market. The automotive logistics market is changing. Customers need capacity, reliability, flexibility, and a clear environmental direction from their shipping partners. With this new building programme, we are investing in all of these areas.”
The demand drivers for these large-scale assets are increasingly diversified. Beyond traditional regional automotive exports, the market is handling accelerated volumes of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids, light commercial trucks, agricultural machinery, and heavy project rolling cargo. Consequently, modern operators require vessels capable of managing multi-dimensional parcel sizes without sacrificing port compatibility or scheduling reliability.
Technical Specifications: Flexibility Meets Future Fuels
The newly contracted vessels at China Merchants Shipyard are tailored to meet rigorous operational and environmental parameters:
- Massive Scale: With an 8,600 CEU capacity, the ships provide exceptional slot density.
- Cargo Adaptability: Designed with five liftable decks to seamlessly manage mixed cargo profiles, ranging from compact passenger cars to high-and-heavy construction and agricultural equipment.
- LNG Dual-Fuel Technology: The primary propulsion configuration utilizes Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), sharply reducing sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate emissions compared to conventional heavy fuel oils, serving as a practical bridge fuel.
- Ammonia-Ready Architecture: Built from the keel up with future conversion in mind, ensuring the vessels can readily transition to green ammonia once supply chains, safety regulations, and bunkering infrastructure mature globally.
Strategic Timing and Long-Term Partnerships
Choosing China Merchants Shipyard reflects a deliberate alignment with premier Chinese shipbuilding hubs that dominate modern PCTC construction. By locking in 2029 delivery slots, Sallaum Lines is insulating its long-term network from acute capacity crunches while ensuring strict compliance with tightening international decarbonization mandates, such as the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) carbon intensity targets and regional frameworks like the EU Green Deal.
For OEMs, global freight forwarders, and equipment manufacturers relying on predictable schedules, Sallaum Lines’ ongoing USD 850M+ capital injection signals a resilient, future-proof trade infrastructure built to sustain automotive supply chains well into the decades ahead.
About Sallaum Lines
Sallaum Lines is a top-tier international roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) carrier specialized in global finished vehicle logistics. Backed by a rapidly growing owned and chartered fleet, the carrier provides deep-sea shipping solutions for cars, heavy machinery, and project cargo across a network connecting Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Sallaum Lines operates under a formalized environmental roadmap targeting absolute carbon neutrality by 2050.
Source: Sallaum Lines