Focus on the future
The Grimaldi Group investing in structure and fleet. The Neapolitan shipping line is continuing its investment programme in 2023. Five PCTC units are set to fortify the group’s services between Europe, Africa and the Middle and Far East. Furthermore, the acquisition of strategic facilities is also progressing.
For the Grimaldi Group, 2023 began much as 2022 ended. The fleet of the Neapolitan shipping line is continuing to grow. As part of a contract signed at the end of October 2022, an option for five more pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) has been taken on, and the Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company and the China Shipbuilding Trading Company commissioned to construct the new vessels.
The number of ships ordered in the last three months has thus grown to 15 PCTCs, representing an investment volume of approximately USD 630 million. With a length of 200 m, a width of 38 m and a cargo capacity to carry 9,000 ceu (car-equivalent units), the newbuildings are suitable for the transport of passenger cars as well as for other types of heavy rolling cargo weighing up to 250 t.
The PCTCs are ammonia-ready
The units’ special features include their ability to run on ammonia too. On top of this they sport a new type of electronic propulsion, whose consumption is one of the lowest in the category and which complies with international emission limits.
The vessels will also be equipped with lithium batteries, solar panels and shore power options, as an alternative to fossil fuel consumption during port calls. Overall, the newbuildings can reduce fuel consumption by up to 50% compared to the previous generation.
Once delivered, which is scheduled for 2025 and 2026, the new units will strengthen Grimaldi’s services between Europe, North Africa, the Middle and the Far East.
Port of Amsterdam is a next step
The shipping line isn’t only investing in a fleet with modern forms of propulsion, however, it’s also expanding its commitment in ports. After acquiring 67% of the port of Igoumenítsa in October last year (see also page 9 of ITJ 15-16 / 2023), the Neapolitan shipping enterprise has now also taken its next step in the port of Amsterdam (Netherlands).
In that hub’s Amerikahaven the Grimaldi Group has acquired 80% of the shares of the Amsterdam Multipurpose Terminal (AMT), with a 20-year concession. The remaining 20% is owned by the TMA Holding, a Dutch logistics firm.
The assets cover an area of more than 200,000 m², including storage areas, adjacent warehouses as well as two quays. These quays are about 300 and 500 m long, and they can handle both deepsea as well as shortsea vessels.
The Grimaldi Group has called at Amsterdam with its ships for more than 25 years now. Currently calls there are part of its ‘Central Express’ service, which transports rolling stock, containers, general and project cargo between Northern Europe and West Africa on a scheduled liner basis.