Since 2023, only six new deep-sea Container-RoRo (ConRo) vessels have been delivered globally, and all of them were built for the Italian Grimaldi Group. This makes Grimaldi the sole major company to continue investing in the ConRo concept, which combines the transportation of containers, cars, trucks, and wheeled project cargo on a single ship. In contrast, many other commercial shipping companies have exited the sector in favor of pure container ships.
The Grimaldi “G5” Class
The six new vessels are part of Grimaldi’s ‘G5’ class, a design specifically tailored for services to West and Central Africa. They were constructed by HD Hyundai Mipo Co., Ltd. Dockyard (HMD) and represent an evolution of the company’s earlier ‘G3’ and ‘G4’ classes. The ‘G5’ ships feature a key innovation: they include cellular holds below deck, a departure from earlier ConRo designs.
ConRo Vessels vs. Pure Container Ships
The preference for pure container ships over ConRos is evident in recent newbuilding statistics. From 2023 through the first half of this year, a total of 942 new container ships entered the global fleet, adding a massive 6.4 million TEU of capacity. This dwarfs the capacity added by the six new Grimaldi ConRos, which collectively account for a mere 12,942 TEU. While the ConRo concept has lost favor in the commercial sector, it remains a popular choice for military logistics.
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Source: Alphaliner On LinkedIn
