Chinese state-owned automaker Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC) says it plans to increase vehicle exports to Europe and other global market regions after launching the first in a series of new ocean-going roll-on, roll-off (RORO) cargo ships, the SAIC Anji Logistics, ordered by the company.
With 13 cargo decks and capacity for up to 7,600 vehicles, the vessel is considered a key component in SAIC’s plans to expand its lineup, inventory and sales presence in European markets with the MG and Maxus brands.
Among the SAIC-produced models being carried by the SAIC Anji Logistics, the world’s largest liquid-natural-gas-powered RORO ship, on its maiden voyage from Shanghai in China to Flushing Port in the Netherlands are the MG4, MG5, MG HS, Maxus V90 and Maxus EV90. Its cargo also includes vehicles from Dongfeng and Yutong as well as farming machinery and other goods, according to SAIC’s logistics division.
The 219-yard-long (200 m) vessel is planned to operate predominantly on European and Australia-New Zealand routes, with an annual capacity of about 30,000 vehicles.
It was built by Jiangnan Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp.
SAIC Anji Logistics says it plans to operate up to 14 ocean-going cargo ships between 2024 and 2026 – the largest of which will have capacity for up to 9,000 vehicles, boosting the company’s annual cargo capacity to more than 500,000 vehicles.
Up until now, SAIC has relied on third-party shipping companies for its overseas vehicle exports.
SAIC deliveries totaled 5,020,865 in 2023, including those for the SAIC-GM-Wuling and SAIC-Volkswagen brands.
Together with an expansion in Chinese exports, SAIC also is studying plans to establish a production base in Europe for the MG brand.
The maiden voyage for the SAIC Anji Logistics comes just days after rival automaker BYD announced its first RORO ship, the BYD Explorer No.1, had left a port in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, carrying more than 5,000 vehicles to Flushing Port in the Netherlands and the German port of Bremerhaven.
Chinese automakers exported over 5.2 million vehicles in 2023 to overtake Japan as the world’s largest vehicle exporter.
