The Chinese company BYD has launched the world's largest car carrier. The 219-meter-long transporter, called "Shenzhen", set sail from the port of Yangzhou: the automotive giant named it in honor of the city where its headquarters are located.
The new carrier can reach speeds of up to 18.5 knots (34 km/h) and simultaneously transport up to 9,200 vehicles. The BYD car carrier causes minimal environmental damage thanks to its dual-fuel engines and energy-saving devices.
The engines run on liquefied gas (propane) or traditional marine fuel (fuel oil). For optimal energy consumption, BYD Box stationary batteries are installed. Shenzhen will be able to operate in ports on electricity alone to reduce fuel consumption. Details of the hybrid system were not disclosed.
China's BYD is actively expanding its car exports. It is planned to increase its fleet of car carriers to eight by early 2026, which will allow BYD to be independent of third-party carriers.
In just a few years, China has become the world's largest car exporter, and sea-going car carriers have become scarce. Previously, local shipyards assembled four car carriers per year, but now production capacity had to be increased tenfold.