The Grande Auckland measures 200 meters in length, 38 meters in beam, and has a gross tonnage of about 77,500 tons. It is designed to transport a wide range of vehicles, including cars, SUVs, vans, and electric vehicles, as well as other rolling cargo. The vessel has a loading capacity of 9,241 car equivalent units (CEU) and includes four decks suitable for large rolling units, with the ability to handle heavy loads of up to 250 tons and cargo with a height of up to 6.5 meters.
The vessel is equipped with a MAN B&W 7S60 ME-C10.6-HPSCR electronic engine, compliant with both TIER II and TIER III standards. This system achieves low fuel consumption and meets strict environmental regulations for CO?, NOx, and SOx emissions. According to Grimaldi, the optimized design, advanced systems, and next-generation technologies of the Grande Auckland reduce CO? emissions per transported cargo by up to 50% compared to earlier PCTC models.
In addition, the vessel has been certified with the Ammonia Ready class notation by Italian classification society RINA, confirming that it can be retrofitted in the future to run on ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel. It is also designed for cold ironing, enabling the use of shore-side electricity while in port where facilities exist, further reducing environmental impact.
The ship is named after the city of Auckland, New Zealand, which has been a regular destination for Grimaldi vessels since 2023. The Grande Auckland will begin service on the Asia–Europe route, where it will remain throughout 2025. On its maiden voyage, it will depart from Shanghai and Lianyungang, carrying 4,900 vehicles and 3,300 linear meters of rolling cargo. Ports of call will include Agadir and Tanger Med in Morocco, Vigo in Spain, Antwerp in Belgium, and Southampton in the United Kingdom. The vessel will then return to Asia, stopping in La Réunion, Yokohama and Toyohashi in Japan, and Masan in South Korea.
The Grimaldi Group has an additional fourteen ammonia-ready PCTCs scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2027. These vessels are expected to further enhance maritime connections with Asia while contributing to cleaner and more efficient shipping operations.
