An aerial drone photo taken on May 15, 2025 shows the naming ceremony of the car carrier Anji Ansheng at Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal in east China's Shanghai.
Gao Yuning, deputy director of the School of Public Policy and Management at Tsinghua University, noted: "The fact that this record has been broken again in less than a month reflects the rapid rise of China’s mid-to-high-end manufacturing sector and the resilience of the country’s foreign trade despite complex global conditions."
The Anji Ansheng is 228 meters long and 37.8 meters wide, with a maximum capacity of 9,500 standard vehicles. Zhuang Jingxiong, general manager of SAIC Anji Logistics Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of SAIC Motor Corporation), emphasized that the vessel integrates advanced energy-saving technologies and intelligent low-carbon systems, making it highly energy-efficient. Additionally, it includes a methanol refueling design, laying the foundation for achieving carbon neutrality in the future.
Zheng Hehui, deputy general manager of China Merchants Industry Holdings, pointed out: "China's large-scale construction and delivery of vehicle carriers are pushing the country's ocean-going auto transport capacity to new heights."
By the end of 2024, SAIC had exported over 5.5 million vehicles, positioning it as one of China's top car exporters. For three consecutive years, SAIC's annual overseas sales have exceeded 1 million units. China's automobile exports surpassed 6.4 million units in 2024, securing the top global position for the second year in a row, according to the General Administration of Customs of China. Between January and April 2025, China exported more than 1.93 million vehicles, marking a 6% year-on-year increase.
The Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal, the port from which Anji Ansheng set sail, provides a clear example of the ongoing growth in China’s auto export capabilities. Despite global trade uncertainties, the terminal exported 740,000 vehicles from January to April 2025, a 25.1% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association, commented: "This momentum reflects not only the rising competitiveness of Chinese brands but also the strong capabilities of China's auto industry."
The 2025 Shanghai Auto Show also highlighted China's growing global presence, attracting more than 12,000 overseas dealers. Agustin Garcia, CEO of Spain's Sarmovil Auto Group, remarked: "China is doing a great job in terms of technology, and the cars are very reliable. People have confidence in Chinese cars. I think they see Chinese cars as offering a good balance between price and quality."
SAIC’s Anji Logistics operates one of the world’s leading vehicle shipping fleets. By 2026, its fleet will grow to 22 vessels, covering key export markets such as Western Europe, Mexico, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Xie Xiaowen, an expert from the China Communications and Transportation Association, highlighted the benefits of owning a fleet: "For automakers, owning a fleet ensures stable export operations, reduces transportation costs, and guarantees timely delivery of products to overseas customers."
