China has achieved a significant milestone in global shipping with the delivery of the world’s largest ocean-going car carrier, the Anji Ansheng. This colossal vessel set sail from Shanghai on May 22, 2025, laden with approximately 7,000 China-made vehicles, predominantly new energy cars, and is bound for Europe, reports Marine Insight.
New Milestone
A new milestone in the global car shipping industry has been achieved with the launch of the Anji Ansheng, a vessel built by SAIC Anji Logistics Ltd, a subsidiary of SAIC Motor Corporation. This new car carrier measures 228 meters in length and 37.8 meters in width, boasting a capacity to transport up to 9,500 standard vehicles, making it the highest capacity car carrier globally.
This record surpasses the previous one held by the BYD Shenzhen, another Chinese-built ship that was launched only weeks prior. According to Chinese public policy experts, this achievement underscores the country’s resilience in foreign trade amidst global uncertainties.
The Anji Ansheng is equipped with advanced energy-saving features and intelligent low-carbon systems, designed for high energy efficiency. Notably, it also incorporates a methanol fuel reserve, indicating a move towards more sustainable operations.
Executives at SAIC Anji Logistics have stated that the Anji Ansheng is just the beginning of their ambitious expansion plans. The company intends to put seven more super-large car carriers into operation soon, aiming to extend its coverage to over 100 destinations worldwide, including key markets in Western Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Mexico. By 2026, SAIC’s ocean-going fleet is projected to grow to a total of 22 vessels. This expansion is crucial as Chinese automakers, such as BYD and Chery, are rapidly increasing their global market presence.
For many years, international car shipping was largely dominated by Japanese and South Korean firms, which often led to high chartering costs and frequent delays for Chinese manufacturers. The significant investment by SAIC in its own large-capacity fleet aims to mitigate these challenges and support China’s burgeoning automotive export industry.
Strategic Move
Experts in China emphasize that automakers owning their shipping fleets is a strategic move that helps maintain stable logistics, reduces reliance on foreign carriers, and ultimately strengthens Chinese carmakers’ competitive position in global markets.
BYD, a leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer in China, continues to aggressively expand its shipping capabilities. Earlier this year, BYD delivered its fourth large car carrier, the BYD Shenzhen, in Jiangsu Province. This vessel, capable of transporting over 9,000 vehicles, is designed for environmental efficiency, operating on both Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and traditional marine fuels. This dual-fuel system reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 23% compared to older heavy-fuel oil ships. Furthermore, the BYD Shenzhen incorporates innovative photovoltaic energy storage systems, allowing for zero-carbon emissions during loading and unloading operations.
BYD is on track to further expand its Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) vessel fleet, with the BYD Xi’an, capable of carrying 9,200 vehicles, expected to be delivered by mid-year. The company aims to have all eight of its dedicated RoRo ships fully operational by the end of 2025. This significant investment in its fleet is already yielding results; in the first quarter of this year alone, BYD’s fleet successfully transported more than 25,000 new energy vehicles overseas.
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Source: Marine Insight
