Global Car Carriers Boosts PCTC Fleet to 20 Vessels | Mariner News
Global Car Carriers (GCC), affiliated with the world’s largest shipowner Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has significantly expanded its Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) orderbook to 20 LNG dual-fuel vessels. This latest expansion adds eight 8,600-CEU (Car Equivalent Unit) PCTCs, bringing the total investment to over US$2 billion, with all newbuildings contracted to Chinese shipyards.
The expanded orderbook now comprises sixteen 8,600-CEU and four 7,000-CEU PCTCs, all designed with LNG dual-fuel propulsion. Deliveries are scheduled between 2028 and 2030, representing a substantial, long-term injection of capacity into the global deep-sea vehicle transport market.
This massive fleet expansion by a major player, tied to MSC, signals a strong conviction in sustained demand for vehicle logistics. The simultaneous entry of 20 modern, eco-friendly PCTCs could reshape competitive dynamics and potentially influence charter rates within the PCTC segment in the coming years.
The exclusive commitment to LNG dual-fuel designs across the entire 20-vessel orderbook underscores GCC’s strategic alignment with decarbonization goals and investment in proven alternative fuels. This move aims to future-proof assets against evolving environmental regulations while enhancing operational efficiency.
All orders have been placed with four Chinese shipyards: China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyard (six 8,600 CEU PCTCs and two 7,000 CEU PCTCs), China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (six 8,600 CEU PCTCs), Guangzhou Shipyard International (two 8,600CEU PCTCs and two 7,000 CEU PCTCs), and Mawei Shipyard (two 8,600CEU PCTCs). This concentration of orders further solidifies China’s position as a dominant force in specialized shipbuilding, capable of delivering complex PCTC projects at scale.
This latest batch of new vessels follows an initial set of orders announced by Global Car Carriers as early as July 2026, with delivery windows extending to 2030.
