The BYD Shenzhen, the world's largest car carrier ship to date, was delivered in east China's Jiangsu Province on Tuesday ahead of its maiden voyage to Brazil later this week.
Measuring almost 220 meters long and over 37 meters wide, the ship can ferry up to 9,200 vehicles, around 100 more than the world's previous largest automobile cargo ship, the Hoegh Aurora.
Named after the southern tech hub where Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD is headquartered, the vessel is the fourth large automobile ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) ship independently operated by the company, which is also currently the world's largest EV manufacturer.
The new ship is designed with environmental sustainability at its core and features liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel technology, which enables it to run on both LNG and traditional marine fuels. It is also equipped with energy-saving devices which can significantly cut carbon missions during operation.
BYD has been steadily building up its fleet of ro-ro ships as part of its global expansion strategy. The company led China's global vehicle sales last year with 4.27 million units sold, a 41.26 percent year-on-year increase, according to data from the carmaker.
The BYD Shenzhen is scheduled to set sail from Jiangsu's Taicang Port to Brazil in the coming days, helping to transport more cars to the key Latin American market as the demand for Chinese-made electric vehicles continues to rise worldwide.
"Last year, China exported over five million vehicles to more than 200 countries and regions, effectively meeting the needs of consumers all over the world," Fu Bingfeng, executive vice president of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Beijing.
World's largest car carrier ship delivered ahead of maiden voyage
