World’s largest car carrier delivered in China, boosting global auto transport capacity in Shipbuilding News 01/05/2026 A car carrier with a maximum capacity of 10,800 car equivalent units, described as the world’s largest of its kind, was delivered Tuesday in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou. The vessel, named Glovis Leader, was built by Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited under the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), together with China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. It was delivered to HMM, a leading shipping company in the Republic of Korea (ROK). After delivery, the vessel will be operated by Hyundai Glovis Co., Ltd., a logistics company also based in the ROK. Lee Kyoo-bok, CEO of Hyundai Glovis, said at the delivery ceremony that the new-generation ultra-large vessel is more than an ordinary means of transport. With its large capacity and enhanced green operating system, it is expected to set a new benchmark for global seaborne automobile transport and mark an important milestone for the shipping industry. Industry insiders say the delivery demonstrates China’s growing capabilities in high-end shipbuilding and reflects broader efforts by the global shipping industry to move toward lower-carbon operations. Classified as a pure car and truck carrier, the ship is 230 meters long and 40 meters wide, with a design draft of 10.5 meters and a cruising speed of 19 knots. It features 14 vehicle decks and can carry a range of cargo, including electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and heavy trucks. In recent years, Chinese-built vessels have renewed the record for the world’s largest car carrier. In late April 2025, BYD Shenzhen, with 9,200 standard vehicle spaces, made its maiden export voyage. Less than a month later, Anji Ansheng, with 9,500 vehicle spaces, set off from Shanghai for Europe on its maiden voyage. Both vessels were independently built by Chinese shipyards. The Glovis Leader is powered by a dual-fuel system using liquefied natural gas and conventional fuel, meeting the International Maritime Organization’s Tier III emissions standards. It also incorporates energy-saving technologies, including optimized hull design, waste heat recovery systems and shore power capability. A shaft generator developed by a research institute under the CSSC enables the vessel to generate electricity while sailing, reducing fuel consumption. Car carriers are typical high-value-added vessels with a high technical threshold. The vessel type poses technical challenges in areas such as multi-layer thin-plate structures, vehicle fire safety, roll-on/roll-off systems and high-stability design. Zhou Xuhui, general manager of Guangzhou Shipyard International, said the company has overcome a number of key technical challenges through the batch construction of car carriers while production efficiency has also improved significantly. Industry insiders said the large number of orders placed by overseas shipping giants with Chinese shipyards, especially for high-end vessels, shows that the technical maturity and product reliability of relevant Chinese-built vessels have been widely recognized by the global market. Guangzhou, one of China’s major shipbuilding bases, has developed a complete supply chain. Local authorities have pledged to continue building Guangzhou into a hub for marine innovation, targeting cutting-edge sectors such as the deep sea, green and smart marine industries. Guangzhou Shipyard International highlight