South Korean shipping company HMM has taken delivery of a new pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) capable of transporting up to 10,800 cars, setting a new world record in car carrier capacity and pushing the scaling limits of vehicle transport tonnage. This latest vessel was delivered by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation.
The record breaker measures approximately 230 m in length and features a 14-deck configuration, designed to accommodate a wide range of vehicle types including conventional cars, SUVs, electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen-powered vehicles and heavy-duty trucks. Its LNG dual-fuel propulsion system helps the vessel comply with the International Maritime Organization’s Tier III nitrogen oxide emission standards, positioning it as both a high-capacity and cleaner ship in the global PCTC segment.
The 10,800 vehicle capacity surpasses the previous threshold of roughly 9,500 car equivalent units (CEU), which was set by earlier Post-Panamax car carriers such as Anji Ansheng and Anji Soundness, also constructed in China. This marks the third major size record broken by Chinese shipyards in less than a year.
HMM’s delivery is part of a series of up to ten 10,800 CEU LNG-ready car carriers ordered by the company in recent years to support long-term charters and enhance automotive logistics capacity. These vessels are expected to play a key role in the global supply chain, especially in Asia–Europe and transpacific trades where demand for vehicle shipments remains robust.
