SAIC Motor celebrates maiden voyage for ocean-going car carrier with loading capacity of 7,600 cars
Shanghai (ZXZC)- On January 17, SAIC Motor marked a significant milestone as it officially commissioned the ocean-going car carrier, constructed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation, the world's largest shipbuilding conglomerate. The vessel, named "SAIC Anji Shencheng," commenced its inaugural voyage.
This colossal ocean liner, measuring 200 meters in length, 38 meters in width, and towering 13 stories high, boasts a capacity for 7,600 vehicles and a displacement exceeding 40,000 tonnes. Notably, it incorporates innovative LNG dual-fuel clean propulsion, capable of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 30%. Positioned as the world's largest clean energy vehicle roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ship, invested and built by a Chinese ship-owner, the SAIC Anji Shencheng will transport the initial batch of new vehicles under some China’s self-owned brands from SAIC Motor, Dongfeng Motor, and Yutong Group to Europe.
SAIC Motor's logistics arm, Anji Logistics, has already established China's largest self-operated fleet of 31 automotive vessels and opened seven international self-operated routes covering Southeast Asia, Mexico, South America West, and Europe. Over the next three years, 14 ocean transport vessels ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 cars in capacity will progressively join SAIC Anji Logistics' ocean fleet, actively supporting the acceleration of Chinese brands' overseas expansion.
The robust expansion of SAIC's ocean fleet is underpinned by the rapid growth of the company's overseas business. In 2023, SAIC achieved an overseas sales volume of 1.208 million vehicles, marking an 18.8% year-on-year increase, playing an important role in propelling China to surpass Japan and become the world's largest exporter of complete vehicles.
As a trailblazer for Chinese automotive exports, SAIC's MG brand achieved a global sales volume exceeding 840,000 vehicles in 2023. With the centenary celebration of the MG brand in 2024, the brand aims to vigorously pursue the global annual sales target of one million vehicles.
Anji Logistics, having evolved into the world's largest automotive logistics company, pioneered the development of a multimodal transportation system encompassing road, rail, and water. It operations span nearly 600 domestic cities and over 100 countries worldwide. In addition to serving SAIC Motor's brand portfolio, Anji Logistics also provides ocean transportation services for various Chinese automakers, including Dongfeng, Yutong, and Great Wall Motor.