Chinese automakers sail into self-reliant shipping era to cut costs, boost global reach

Chinese automakers are charting new waters by building their own ocean-going fleets, slashing logistics costs and securing supply chains amid surging vehicle export.

Anji Ansheng, China's domestically built ocean-going car carrier and the world's largest such carrier in terms of capacity, set sail on its maiden voyage to Europe on Thursday evening, carrying approximately 7,000 China-made vehicles.

The departure from Shanghai marks a milestone achievement, surpassing a record set just weeks earlier by BYD Shenzhen, which is a domestically built car carrier from the major Chinese automaker BYD. That vessel had previously held the title of the world's largest car carrier in operation.

Anji Ansheng measures 228 meters in length and 37.8 meters in width, with a maximum capacity of carrying 9,500 standard vehicles, said Zhuang Jingxiong, general manager of SAIC Anji Logistics Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited.

"We've invested 10 billion yuan to build 12 ultra-large ocean-going carriers with over 7,600 vehicle capacities. This fleet will reduce per-unit transport costs by 10 percent," said Zhuang.

This strategic shift comes as China's auto export hit 1.937 million units from January to April 2025, up 6 percent year on year, with the export of new energy vehicles (NEVs) surging 52.6 percent to 642,000 units.

With China's shipbuilding industry leading global output for 15 consecutive years, domestic automakers are seeking greater control over deep-sea shipping—not only to ensure secure and stable supply chains but also to reduce transportation costs.

"Transitioning from 'borrowing ships' to 'building fleets', Chinese automakers are evolving from market participants to rule-makers. This strengthens supply chain resilience and stability. breaks international shipping monopolies, and secures our voice in the global automotive value chain, effectively boosting the global presence of Chinese brands," said Liu Yan, deputy secretary general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

The export boom stems from multidimensional advances: next-gen battery systems, smart driving ecosystems, and autonomous supply chains covering critical components.

A new "Brand Upgrading Initiative" launched by CAAM now prioritizes global market integration, reflecting the sector's transition from product export to full industrial ecosystem globalization.

"Supply chain self-reliance ensures industrial resilience, while upgraded shipping systems resolve the 'last mile' of globalization. The combined advantages across the entire chain have effectively enabled Chinese automakers to 'go global'. The next priority for Chinese auto brands is to deepen their global integration, transitioning from 'product export' to 'exporting entire industrial chains and ecosystems'," Liu said.

Chinese automakers sail into self-reliant shipping era to cut costs, boost global reach

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday that the country is at a critical stage and must achieve national unity, emphasizing that maintaining internal cohesion is of utmost importance.

In a televised address, Rodriguez called on the public to continue trusting the government under the current highly complex political circumstances.

Her statement comes in the wake of a January 3 military operation conducted by the United States, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country.

The operation resulted in at least 100 fatalities.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in as acting president two days later on January 5, framed her appeal for unity against this backdrop of external intervention.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Freddy Nanez denounced the U.S. actions as a "war crime of the 21st century" when speaking at an international cultural event on Sunday.

Nanez condemned not only the January 3 airstrikes but also the associated cyber and electromagnetic attacks.

He accused the United States of violating international law through the forced removal of President Maduro and his wife, while attacks on civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, represent a flagrant breach of humanitarian norms.

He reiterated that the stigmatization and military attacks against Venezuela are driven by economic interests, particularly the desire to control its abundant natural resources.

Venezuelan acting president calls for national unity amid complex situation