China continues to bolster its standing in the worldwide shipbuilding sector by unveiling the globe’s largest vessel dedicated to vehicle transportation. This groundbreaking giant, named Glovis Leader, possesses the capacity to ferry up to 10,800 automobiles in a single voyage; lined up sequentially, this convoy would stretch roughly 50 kilometers. The vessel was designed by the state-owned entity Guangzhou Shipyard International, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation. The ship’s handover took place on April 28th in Guangzhou, China, with the South Korean firm HMM acting as the client. The logistics operator Hyundai Glovis will manage the ship’s operations. The dimensions of this new car carrier are considerable: it measures 230 meters in length and 40 meters in width. The vessel’s design incorporates 14 decks capable of accommodating a diverse array of vehicles, ranging from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks, including electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Essentially, the ship operates as a highly efficient “floating parking garage,” indicative of the escalating global demand for vehicle transport. Developers placed significant emphasis on environmental performance. The vessel is equipped with a liquefied natural gas (LNG) operating system, alongside a shaft-driven generator that powers all onboard systems while underway. Furthermore, it features a dual-fuel propulsion system capable of utilizing either LNG or conventional marine fuel. Future plans include the potential for modification to run on ammonia and methanol. Thanks to these engineering specifications, the Glovis Leader adheres to the stringent Tier III ecological benchmarks set by the International Maritime Organization, significantly reducing nitrogen oxide emissions compared to conventional ships. The vessel achieves a maximum speed of 19 knots and has a draft of 10.5 meters, making it suitable for long-haul international routes. Lee Kyu-bok, CEO of Hyundai Glovis, emphasized that this is not merely a transport vessel but a new benchmark for the automotive shipping industry. He stated that the fusion of massive capacity and eco-friendly technologies will establish new industry standards globally. Industry analysts observe that the emergence of such a vessel confirms the rapid advancement of China’s high-tech shipbuilding capabilities and mirrors the broader global industry’s movement toward greener solutions. Chinese shipyards have a track record of setting records in this specific segment. For instance, in 2025, the BYD Shenzhen, with a capacity of 9,200 vehicles, commenced its inaugural export journey, quickly followed by the realization of similar projects involving the BYD Changsha and BYD Xi’an. Later, the Anji Ansheng carrier, designed for 9,500 cars, joined the fleet, setting sail from Shanghai for Europe. Guangzhou Shipyard International currently holds over 40 orders for comparable vessels, having already delivered 26 projects to their clients, all completed ahead of schedule. The total value of these orders is estimated to be around 100 billion RMB, which translates to approximately 14.6 billion USD.
Source: New-Science.ru https://new-science.ru/kitaj-predstavil-krupnejshee-v-mire-sudno-dlja-perevozki-avtomobilej/
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