Chinese carmaker BYD Auto has revealed the world’s largest vehicle carrier, the BYD Shenzhen, a massive ship capable of transporting 9,200 cars. The ship is named after Shenzhen, where BYD is based. It recently began its journey from Yangzhou port, located northwest of Shanghai.
This new ship is part of BYD’s plan to expand globally and take a larger share of the car market. BYD’s rise in the electric vehicle (EV) industry has been rapid, and the BYD Shenzhen is another step in its journey to global success.
The BYD Shenzhen is not just big; it’s also packed with the latest technology. It measures 219 meters long and 37.7 meters wide and has a draft of 9 meters, which means how deep it sits in the water. The ship can travel at a maximum speed of 18.5 knots (about 21.3 mph) according to China News Service (via IT Home).
What makes BYD Shenzhen special is its focus on being environmentally friendly. The ship uses LNG dual-fuel technology, meaning it can run on both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and traditional marine fuel. This helps reduce pollution and saves energy.
The ship is also equipped with energy-saving devices and stationary storage batteries made by BYD. These batteries likely help power the ship when it is docking or in areas where low emissions are required. This reduces fuel usage and cuts emissions even more.
The BYD Shenzhen is the company’s fourth roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) ship. Ro-Ro ships are designed to carry vehicles that can drive on and off the ship using built-in ramps. This makes loading and unloading faster and easier.
BYD’s first Ro-Ro ship, the BYD Explorer No. 1, was launched in January 2024. Since then, it has made trips to Europe, including Spain and Germany, and even to Brazil Electrek reported.
The second ship, the BYD Changzhou, began operation in December 2024. The third, the BYD Hefei, started sailing earlier this month, carrying 5,000 electric vehicles (EVs) to Europe. Each of these ships can transport up to 7,000 cars.
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BYD plans to have a total of eight Ro-Ro ships by early 2026. This fleet will help the company ship more cars to overseas markets, speeding up its global expansion.
BYD is growing fast in the global market. The company sold 4.25 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2024, which is 40% more than the previous year. NEVs include both fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
In 2024, BYD became the world’s largest EV maker by sales volume, surpassing Tesla. While Tesla sold 1.78 million fully electric cars, BYD sold 1.76 million fully electric cars and many more plug-in hybrids. This puts BYD ahead in total vehicle sales.
BYD is expanding into new markets to grow even more. It has entered over 100 countries and regions. In 2024, BYD sold cars in South Korea for the first time, starting with the Atto 3 EV. Priced at just over $20,000, the Atto 3 is challenging local brands like Hyundai. BYD plans to launch two more models in South Korea later this year: the Seal sedan and the Sealion 07 SUV.
In Thailand, BYD has gained a significant market share. Japanese carmakers once controlled 90% of the market there, but that number has dropped to 76% as BYD grows stronger.
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The BYD Shenzhen is more than just a big ship; it represents BYD’s vision for the future. With the ability to carry more cars and reduce environmental impact, this ship is a key part of BYD’s global strategy.
The company’s decision to build its own fleet of car carriers shows its commitment to controlling every part of its business. BYD already makes its own batteries, owns lithium mines and even offers EV insurance in China. Now, it is taking control of how its cars are shipped worldwide.
BYD’s plans for the future are ambitious. The company wants to grow its market share in Europe, Asia, and beyond. By 2025, BYD aims to ship even more cars globally. The BYD Shenzhen and its upcoming Ro-Ro ships will play a major role in achieving this goal.