GSI delivers 10,800-vehicle LNG dual-fuel carrier to KOBC

Guangzhou Shipyard International Co delivers a new 10,800-vehicle LNG dual-fuel Pure Car Truck Carrier to Korea Ocean Business Corporation on Tuesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Guangzhou Shipyard International delivered a new 10,800-vehicle LNG dual-fuel Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) to Korea Ocean Business Corporation (KOBC) on Tuesday, the latest in a series that has established GSI as a leading builder of large-capacity car carriers.

The vessel, jointly designed by GSI and Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute, is the world's first 10,000-vehicle-class car carrier fitted with a photovoltaic power generation system, according to a statement from GSI, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp.

The green energy system has a peak output of 200 kW and generates approximately 1,000 kWh of electricity per day based on an estimated daily sunshine duration of 5.5 to 7 hours. Combined with a dual-fuel propulsion system running on fuel oil and LNG, a shaft generator, and compliance with IMO Tier III emission standards, the vessel represents the series' most energy-efficient configuration to date.

Guangzhou Shipyard International Co delivers a new 10,800-vehicle LNG dual-fuel Pure Car Truck Carrier to Korea Ocean Business Corporation on Tuesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Like its sister vessels, the carrier measures 230 meters in length with a molded breadth of 40 meters and a structural draft of 10.5 meters, reaching a top speed of 19 knots. Its 14 decks — nine fixed and five liftable — can accommodate up to 10,800 vehicles.

Jointly designed by GSI and the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute, it is classed by Det Norske Veritas and Korean Register and certified for unrestricted worldwide navigation.

The delivery was completed via an online remote signing ceremony, with GSI noting that KOBC opted for the remote format in lieu of an in-person handover.