The Grimaldi Group has taken delivery of its latest Pure Car & Truck Carrier, the Grande Manila, officially handed over and christened in Shanghai. Built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC), both part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), the vessel is the seventh ammonia-ready unit ordered by the Italian group, meaning it is prepared to use carbon-free ammonia as fuel in the future.
Measuring 200 metres in length, 38 metres in beam and with a gross tonnage of around 77,500, the Grande Manila has been engineered for the efficient transport of cars, SUVs, vans and all other rolling cargo, whether conventionally powered or electric. The ship can accommodate up to 9,241 CEU and features four decks suitable for additional ro-ro cargo, including units up to 250 tonnes with deck heights reaching 6.5 metres.
In a statement, the group explained that the vessel pays tribute not only to the Philippine capital but to the country’s wider maritime community, recognising its exceptional contribution to global shipping. The name also reflects the growing strategic importance of the Philippines within the Grimaldi network, which has recently added a new service connecting China with the port of Batangas, with future expansion planned to other ports including Manila.
The delivery ceremony was attended by several representatives of the shipyard and the group, including Zhang Wei, Vice President of SWS, and Luigi Pacella Grimaldi, Automotive Intercontinental Director. Group CEO Emanuele Grimaldi stressed that the arrival of the Grande Manila marks a significant milestone in fleet expansion and modernisation, while reinforcing the company’s strong and longstanding relationship with the Philippines, whose seafarers he described as professional, dedicated and essential to daily operations.
Through its partnership with the Ho family and the Magsaysay Group, Grimaldi reaffirmed its commitment to the wellbeing and development of this human capital, while adding that the inclusion of Philippine ports in the service network will further contribute to sustainable national economic growth.
The vessel begins its maiden voyage this week on the Asia–Europe route, departing from Taicang with more than 5,800 vehicles and 1,300 lane metres of rolling cargo including buses, trucks, excavators and wheel loaders bound for the UK, Spain and Belgium, with onward distribution to northern Europe and the Mediterranean through transshipment at the Grimaldi hub in Antwerp. After completing its rotation in Europe, the ship will return to East Asia, with arrival in China scheduled for late April.
Powered by a latest-generation electronic engine with one of the lowest specific fuel consumption levels in its class, the Grande Manila complies with the strictest international emission limits for CO₂, NOx and SOx. Thanks to advanced systems, optimised cargo capacity and refined naval architecture, the vessel reduces CO₂ emissions per transported unit by up to 50% compared with previous PCTC designs. In addition to being ammonia-ready, it is also pre-fitted for cold ironing.
