maritime, ecological and energy transition : Inaugural Call in Le Havre of the Grande Svezia, a High Environmental Performance PCTC Operated by the Grimaldi Group

On Tuesday 24 February 2026, the Quai de Bougainville in Le Havre welcomed the inaugural call of the Grande Svezia, the second vessel in a series of ten next-generation PCTC (Pure Car & Truck Carrier) ships operated by the Grimaldi Group. Locally handled by Manutention SMR and represented in France by GRIMALDI France SAS with headquarters in Le Havre, the vessel will be deployed on a regular rotation including two to three monthly calls at Le Havre. This first call marks a new milestone in the evolution of automotive maritime transport and further strengthens Le Havre’s strategic position within international RORO trades.

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©HAROPA PORT / Nautilus

A High-Capacity Vessel Designed for Versatility

Built by China Merchants Heavy Industries Jiangsu, the Grande Svezia features the following main characteristics:

  •  length: 220 metres,
  •  beam: 38 metres,
  •  capacity: 9,000 CEU (Car Equivalent Units),
  •  configuration: 14 decks designed to accommodate both electric and combustion engine vehicles.

The vessel joins her sister ship, Grande Shanghai, as part of a new generation of car carriers designed to meet the evolving requirements of global automotive logistics, including the rapid growth of electric vehicle flows.

Ammonia-Ready Design and Zero-Emission Port Calls

The Grande Svezia forms part of the Grimaldi Group’s fleet expansion strategy focused on sustainable maritime transport.

Classed as “Ammonia Ready”, the vessel is designed for future conversion to ammonia as a carbon-free alternative fuel.

During port calls, the ship can achieve zero emissions thanks to:

  •  a 5 MWh lithium battery system, supplying onboard power without running auxiliary engines,
  •  cold ironing capability, allowing the vessel to draw electricity directly from shore where facilities are available.

Optimised Energy Efficiency

Compared with earlier-generation car carriers, the Grande Svezia delivers up to 50% lower fuel consumption.

This performance is supported by several advanced technologies:

  •  2,500 square metres of solar panels,
  •  silicone-based hull coatings reducing hydrodynamic drag,
  •  an Air Lubrication System improving hull efficiency,
  •  an innovative “gate rudder”, installed for the first time on a PCTC, consisting of two foil-shaped blades positioned on either side of the propeller, enhancing propulsion efficiency and manoeuvrability,
  •  an electronically controlled main engine fitted with advanced exhaust gas treatment systems to reduce sulfur oxides (SOx) and particulate matter (PM), while a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system ensures compliance with IMO Tier III limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Good to know: the vessel has been awarded Green Plus and Green Star 3 class notations, confirming high environmental and operational standards.

HAROPA PORT, a major European RORO Hub

The integration of the Grande Svezia into a regular rotation - including two to three monthly calls at Le Havre - reinforces the HAROPA PORT’s position as a key European hub for automotive and rolling cargo traffic. Le Havre offers dedicated RORO handling facilities.

Rotation : Wallhamn, Hambourg, Anvers, Southampton, Vigo, Valence, Le Pirée, Izmir, Limassol, Ashdod, Alexandria, Gemlik, Autoport, Salerne, Le Havre, Southampton, Esbjerg, Wallhamn.

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©Grimaldi Lines