China's Jiangsu Kangping Shipyard has begun construction of a new pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) ordered by local customer Hainan Chunlong International Shipping.
The 5,000CEU vessel will be designed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary Marine Design and Research Institute of China as the first unit in a new series of ships.
The ship will be capable of Panama Canal transits while her shallow draught will enable her to call at various small- and medium-sized ports throughout China as well as overseas.
Some of the PCTC's decks will be liftable to permit the transport of larger freight such as trailers, buses, and heavy construction equipment. Battery electric vehicles can also be transported along with internal combustion engine vehicles.
The ship's propulsion arrangement will run on conventional marine fuels but will be configured to comply with EEDI Phase III requirements.
As with many new Chinese-operated PCTCs, the ship will be deployed on global routes to support the export activities of China's automotive industry.