China’s largest PV energy, LNG dual-fuel car carrier embarks on maiden voyage

China's largest photovoltaic energy and LNG dual-fuel car carrier, Yuan Hai Kou, embarked on its maiden voyage from Nansha Port in Guangzhou, the capital of south China's Guangdong Province, on Thursday.

Fully loaded with 4,000 China-made cars, more than 90 percent of which are new-energy vehicles, the ship will sail to Mediterranean countries including Greece, Spain, Tunisia, and Türkiye.

Measuring 199.9 meters in length and with a gross tonnage of 68,252 tons, the Yuan Hai Kou, built by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) for COSCO Shipping Car Carriers Co Ltd, boasts a loading capacity of 7,000 standard car spaces and can transport all vehicle types.

Compared with traditional single-fuel car carriers, it can save about 20 percent in energy consumption annually.

In addition to its impressive capacity and energy efficiency, the ship is equipped with an advanced intelligent monitoring system that allows for dynamic tracking of both the vessel and its cargo. This enables the crew and cargo owners to remotely monitor the status of their goods.

"Equipped with more than 200 cameras, along with infrared thermal imaging and digital twin technology, the ship provides complete visibility into the car transportation process. The system allows for seamless monitoring with a single screen and a unified network," said Yang Guangkai, the port captain.

To improve the quality of life of the crew on board, the vessel is outfitted with an automated vegetable-growing cabinet that regulates temperature, humidity, lighting, and hydroponic nutrients for the plants, ensuring the crew can enjoy fresh produce throughout the long voyage.

With the delivery of the Yuan Hai Kou, the COSCO Shipping car carrier fleet has expanded to 20 vessels, with routes covering countries and regions in the Persian Gulf, Europe, East Africa and South Africa, South America, and the Mediterranean, ensuring the smooth operation of China's automotive supply chain.

By 2026, the fleet is expected to grow to 30 vessels, further boosting China's car exports and enhancing its global shipping capacity.

China’s largest PV energy, LNG dual-fuel car carrier embarks on maiden voyage

The agreement between China and the European Union (EU) on providing general guidance on price undertakings for Chinese exporters of passenger battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to the EU will help stabilize industrial and supply chains, said an industry analyst.

The move aims to address relevant concerns in a more practical, targeted, and consistent manner with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, according to the Ministry of Commerce in a statement on Monday.

The statement noted that in the spirit of mutual respect, the two sides have conducted multiple rounds of consultations in order to implement the consensus of the China-EU Summit and properly resolve the EU's anti-subsidy case concerning Chinese BEVs.

To that end, the European Commission on Monday issued guidance on the submission of price undertaking offers, covering various aspects that should be addressed in any such offer, including the minimum import price, sales channels, cross-compensation, and future investments in the EU.

Each price undertaking offer is subject to the same legal criteria, and the commission will conduct each assessment in an objective and fair manner, following the principle of non-discrimination and in accordance with WTO rules, the commission said.

On the same day, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) also issued a statement welcoming the positive outcome of the consultations.

Chen Huiqing, director of the CCCME's Legal Department, said that reaching a price commitment helps companies protect their profits from tariffs.

"For companies, reaching a price commitment means profits stay with the firm, instead of being taken away as EU anti-subsidy tariffs," said Chen.

The price-undertaking option will help stabilize supply chains and support global trade, she added.

"After multiple rounds of talks, China and the EU have reached a positive, 'soft-landing' outcome that helps stabilize industrial and supply chains and supports broader China-EU trade and the global trade order," Chen said.

China-EU agreement on price undertaking guidance for EV exports to stabilize supply chains: analyst