Anji Prestige: A New Era for Car Carriers
Chinese shipping company Anji Logistics, a subsidiary of SAIC Group, has taken delivery of the Anji Prestige, a new pure car and truck carrier (PCTC). This vessel, built by the Jiangnan Shipbuilding Group, incorporates cutting-edge technology designed to reduce emissions.
Anji Prestige represents a significant investment in more sustainable shipping practices. The vessel is one of a series of two Post-Panamax PCTCs ordered by Anji Logistics from the same builder in 2022. The design work was carried out by China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute.
Advanced Design and Capacity
The Anji Prestige builds upon a proven PCTC design, with enhancements that maximize efficiency and capacity. The vessel boasts a capacity of 7,800 vehicles, including those powered by lithium batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. The ship has a length overall (LOA) of 199.99 meters (656.14 feet), a beam of 38 meters (120 feet), a draught of 10.2 meters (33.5 feet), and a depth of 15.5 meters (50.9 feet). It has a service speed of 19 knots.
Cutting-Edge Propulsion and Emissions Control
At the heart of the Anji Prestige is a WinGD 7X62DF2.1 dual-fuel main engine, capable of running on both traditional fuel and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The engine also features an intelligent control by exhaust recycling (ICER) system. The ICER system helps to reduce methane slip, which is a common problem when using LNG, and lowers emissions of greenhouse gases, particulate matter, and SOx.
The ICER system uses a specialized algorithm to monitor, cool, and recirculate exhaust gas. This process ensures that some of the methane in the exhaust gas is re-combusted for use. This further reduces overall emissions from the ship, making the vessel significantly more environmentally friendly.
Enhanced Construction and Initial Voyages
The design work on the vessel also involved optimizing interior layouts to streamline the outfitting process. The builder noted that this resulted in the ship being delivered ahead of schedule. Classified by both DNV and the China Classification Society, the Anji Prestige is registered to Liberia. Its initial voyages transported vehicle cargo to Europe. Operations now include ports in the United States and Mexico, demonstrating the company’s global reach.
Expanding the Fleet
The introduction of the Anji Prestige and its sister ships increases Anji Logistics’ fleet to 22 vessels. This expansion enables the company to serve major export routes, including those between China and regions such as Southeast Asia, the Persian Gulf, the Mediterranean, the United Kingdom, North and South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
