Guangzhou Shipyard International recently completed work on the world’s largest vehicle-carrying sea vessel, a 230-meter-long and 40-meter-wide metal giant capable of transporting a wide range of vehicles, including electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and heavy trucks.
Described as a Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), the new Glovis Leader had been commissioned by South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai and was completed ahead of schedule by Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited under the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), together with China Shipbuilding Trading Co. Ltd.
The new Glovis Leader is 230 meters long and 40 meters wide, with a design draft of 10.5 meters and a cruising speed of 19 knots. It has 14 dedicated vehicle decks capable of accommodating up to 10,800 vehicles, which makes it the largest PCTC ever built.
Just last year, we featured the previous holder of the record for the largest car and truck carrier, the Höegh Aurora, which could fit up to 9,100 vehicles (conventional or electric). Glovis Leader is considerably larger, with space for 1,700 units.
Like the Aurora, Glovis Leader incorporates innovative energy-saving technologies, including optimized hull design and waste heat recovery systems. It features a dual-fuel system using liquefied natural gas and conventional fuel, meeting the International Maritime Organization’s Tier III emissions standards by significantly reducing nitrogen oxide emissions compared to conventional ships.
According to experts, Glovis Leader sets a new benchmark for global seaborne automobile transport, but also emphasizes China’s rapid development of high-tech shipbuilding and its increasing dominance in this strategic sector.
