Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD successfully completed the first seven-day sea trial of its roll-on/roll-off car carrier Explorer 1 in Yantai, Shandong.
In hindsight, Guangzhou Shipbuilding International started manufacturing BYD’s 7000 dual-fuel car carrier (PCTC) project No. 1 in Nansha, Guangzhou, on November 6.
According to IT Home, the ship is a “green and low-carbon upgraded version 2.0” of the manufacturer’s PCTC series ship. Notably, BYD ordered two pure car/truck carriers (PCTCs) from GSI on January 23.
BYD Explorer 1’s design
BYD’s Ro-Ro car carrier Explorer 1 is 199.9 meters long and 38 meters wide. It also boasts a design draft of 9 meters and a design speed of 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h).
More remarkably, it uses a natural gas (LNG)/fuel dual-fuel propulsion system, substantially advancing the maritime transport industry toward cleaner energy alternatives. It also integrates a battery system and a shaft generator for the first time.
In addition, it also has energy-saving features like energy-efficient devices, anti-fouling paint, and drag-reducing measures.
According to CnEVPost, the two dual-fuel PCTCs BYD ordered can carry up to 7,000 vehicles.
BYD exports
The project is a crucial part of BYD’s efforts to expand its logistics and distribution network. It will also strengthen BYD’s market presence in foreign markets across the world.
According to CarNewsChina.com, BYD’s electric vehicle exports surged to 30,629 units in November 2023. This year to date, its exports have already reached a total of 206,679 units (up 4x YoY).
With the imminent official launch of the Explorer 1 ship, BYD can significantly increase its export capacity. In effect, it will further boost its global and sales delivery in the coming years. Caixin reported on October 29 that the BYD affiliate plans to order eight ro-ro vessels with 7,700 car capacity at a shipyard in Yantai for nearly 5 billion yuan ($700 million).
