China’s SAIC Anji bets big: 11,000-ceu car carriers
SAIC Anji Logistics launches tender for two 11,000-ceu LNG dual-fuel PCTCs.
SAIC Anji Logistics, the shipping arm of China’s state-owned automaker SAIC Motor, has launched an international tender for two liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel car carriers with a capacity of 11,000 car equivalent units (ceu). The move marks a significant escalation in vessel size for the company and the first investment by a Chinese firm in pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) exceeding 10,000 ceu.
Bids for the newbuilds must be submitted by October 15, with financing already secured. The first ship is scheduled for delivery before September 2029, while the second is expected no later than three months afterward. The tender imposes strict eligibility criteria: shipyards must prove they have delivered at least 10 LNG dual-fuel PCTCs larger than 7,000 ceu between January 2023 and August 2024, significantly limiting the pool of qualified bidders.
Expansion amid global demand for shipping capacity: SAIC Anji
The planned 11,000-ceu vessels will surpass SAIC Anji’s current largest ships, the 9,500-ceu Anji Ansheng and Anji Jisheng, which briefly held the title of the world’s largest car carriers upon entering service. The company’s fleet expansion aligns with a broader industry trend toward larger vessels as automakers race to secure shipping capacity for rising export volumes.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen
In 2023, SAIC Anji ordered seven 8,900-ceu PCTCs from China Merchants Jinling and Jiangnan Shipyard, building on an earlier five-ship program. The company’s self-operated roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) fleet now exceeds 40 vessels, including river, domestic, and foreign trade ships. By 2026, its ocean-going fleet for foreign trade is projected to grow to 22 vessels, with routes covering Western Europe, the Mediterranean, Mexico, South America’s west coast, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.
The new ships will still fall short of the 12,100-ceu vessels Wallenius Wilhelmsen is constructing at China Merchants Jinling or the 10,800-ceu carriers being built for Hyundai Glovis-linked owners. However, SAIC Anji’s investment underscores the fierce competition for scale in a market where even mid-sized vessels, such as the 7,000-ceu Lake Rotorua, are being chartered for six months at rates near $90,000 per day.
Supporting SAIC Motor’s global automotive strategy
The fleet expansion is a cornerstone of SAIC Motor’s aggressive overseas growth strategy. Since its first passenger car exports in 2001, the company has delivered over 5.5 million vehicles to international markets by the end of 2024. Its products and services now span more than 100 countries and regions, supported by a globally integrated value chain encompassing research and development, logistics, manufacturing, and finance.
Anji Logistics, which operates China’s largest self-owned car carrier fleet, has played a pivotal role in this expansion. The company’s fleet includes 11 river vessels, 9 domestic trade ships, and 15 foreign trade vessels, positioning it as a key player in global vehicle logistics. The addition of the 11,000-ceu LNG dual-fuel ships will further strengthen SAIC Motor’s ability to meet rising demand for Chinese automotive exports.
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