Global Car Carriers adds eight PCTCs in China, taking its orderbook to 20
The MSC-owned former Gram Car Carriers now has more than $2bn of LNG dual-fuel car carriers on order
Global Car Carriers, the former Gram Car Carriers now controlled by MSC, has ordered eight more LNG dual-fuel pure car and truck carriers in China. The additions take its newbuilding programme to 20 ships worth more than $2bn.
All eight are 8,600 ceu vessels. Four will be built at China Merchants' Weihai yard, two at Guangzhou Shipyard International and two at Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding.
The full orderbook now comprises sixteen 8,600 ceu ships and four of 7,000 ceu, all at Chinese yards, with deliveries between 2028 and 2030. China Merchants Weihai holds six of the larger ships and two of the smaller; China Merchants Jinling holds six 8,600 ceu units due in 2028 and 2029; Guangzhou Shipyard International holds two of each size, also for 2028 and 2029; and the two ships at Mawei are scheduled for 2030.
The programme has almost doubled in a few months. As recently as July the company had 12 ships on order.
The 8,600 ceu design is 199.95 metres long with a beam of 38 metres, meets NOx Tier III and includes provisions for future conversion to ammonia fuel. The 7,000 ceu ships are 199.9 metres long, also on a 38-metre beam, and have an S-shaped bulbous bow.
Global Car Carriers operates 21 PCTCs of between 2,000 and 7,000 ceu. MSC acquired the company in 2024 for $700m.
The orders come as contracting for car carriers picks up again on the back of rising Chinese vehicle exports, which have tightened the supply of available PCTC capacity. Once delivered, the 16 ships of 8,600 ceu would be larger than any vessel in the company's current fleet, whose biggest units are of 7,000 ceu.
This story is part of the Maritime Briefing of 29 September 2026.
