VESSEL REVIEW | AICC Huanghu – Dual-fuel car carrier delivered to China's Anhui Port and Shipping Group

A new pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) ordered by Chinese shipowner the Anhui Port and Shipping Group has been delivered and recently departed on its maiden operational voyage.

AICC Huanghu is being operated by Anhui Hangrui International Ro-Ro Transportation Company, a joint venture formed by the Anhui Port and Shipping Group and car manufacturers Chery Automobile and the JAC Automobile Group. It will be used to transport vehicle cargo exports from China to countries in the Mediterranean.

Designed to accommodate LNG propulsion and other emissions-reducing features

The PCTC has an LOA of 199.9 metres (655.8 feet), a beam of 38 metres (120 feet), a maximum draught of 10 metres (30 feet), a depth of 15.5 metres (50.9 feet), and a gross tonnage of 71,000. There are 12 cargo decks that can house a total of 7,000 vehicles including those powered by lithium batteries. Four of the decks are movable to permit the carriage of high vehicles such as trailers and buses.

The ship’s WinGD dual-fuel main engine can also operate on LNG and is fitted with an intelligent control by exhaust recycling (ICER) system, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 28 per cent, particulate matter emissions by 80 per cent, SOx emissions by 99 per cent, and methane slip by 50 per cent. The LNG fuel, the ICER system, and the use of a permanent magnet shaft alternator enables the vessel to comply with IMO Tier III emission requirements.

First in a new series

Design work on AICC Huanghu was undertaken by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) while construction took place at Wuhu Shipyard. The Seacon Shipping Group meanwhile provided construction supervision services, technical support, and crew management.

The final two PCTCs in the same series are scheduled to be handed over to Anhui Hangrui before the end of the year.

AICC Huanghu departed Haitong Terminal in Shanghai on its maiden operational voyage late last month. The vessel carried cargo consisting of 4,300 vehicles including commercial vehicles and passenger cars as well as construction equipment. It will first make a stop at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia before proceeding to Turkey, Italy, and Spain, where its vehicle cargo will be offloaded.