The Grimaldi Group recently showcased its 'ammonia-ready' Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), the Grande Istanbul, during a ceremony held at Autoport, within the Kocaeli port complex in Türkiye. This vessel represents one of 17 similar 'ammonia-ready' PCTCs that the Italian shipping line is integrating into its fleet, highlighting a strategic move towards more sustainable maritime transport solutions.
The Grande Istanbul was delivered in November 2025 by Chinese shipyards Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) and China Shipbuilding Trading. Its deployment is set for Grimaldi's EuroMed Service, which establishes vital links between ports in Northern Europe and various Mediterranean locations, including several key Turkish ports such as Autoport, Borusan, Derince, Gemlik, Haydarpaşa, and İzmir.
For freight forwarders and logistics professionals, the introduction of these new vessels signifies an increase in capacity for roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) and vehicle transport services on the EuroMed trade lane. The 'ammonia-ready' designation indicates Grimaldi's long-term commitment to decarbonization, which could lead to more environmentally friendly shipping options for automotive and project cargo. While immediate rate impacts may not be significant, the enhanced capacity could improve schedule reliability and offer more flexibility for shippers moving vehicles and heavy equipment between Northern Europe and the Mediterranean region, potentially stabilizing future pricing in this specialized segment.
