BYD, a China-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer that overtook Tesla as the world’s biggest EV seller in 2023, has taken delivery of its first car carrier which is dual-fueled.

CIMC Raffles

The maiden voyage ceremony for BYD Explorer No.1, the 7,000 CEU LNG dual-fuel pure car, truck carrier (PCTC), was held on January 15 at the Port of Shenzhen.

Built by CIMC Raffles, a subsidiary of China International Marine Containers (CIMC), the newbuild is the first car carrier built at a Chinese yard that will transport domestically produced cars.

“The BYD Explorer No.1 is the first ships belonging to CIMC Raffles’ 7,000 CEU car carrier series. In the future, we will continue to strengthen technological innovation and work closely with partners to reduce carbon emissions and make greater contributions to the green development of the global shipping industry,” Li Minggao, Vice President of CIMC Raffles, commented.

BYD Explorer No.1 was delivered last week at the shipbuilder’s Longkou base in Shandong before sailing to Yantai RoRo terminal to be loaded with new electric vehicles.

Carrying 5,449 new vehicles on board, the PCTC has embarked on its maiden voyage to Europe, heading to the ports of Vlissingen in the Netherlands and Bremerhaven in Germany.