China's first PV-LNG hybrid car carrier makes first voyage from Xiamen

China's first photovoltaic and LNG dual-fuel car carrier, the YUAN HAI KOU, recently departed from the Ocean Gate Container Terminal in the Xiamen Free Trade Zone. This marks its maiden voyage from Xiamen Port, carrying a full load of Chinese-made vehicles bound for Greece, Turkey, Italy, Tunisia, and other countries.

After departing from China's Nansha Port, the YUAN HAI KOU berthed at Xiamen Port on May 17. During its port call at Xiamen, the vessel loaded 111 buses and four engineering vehicles before continuing its voyage.

The YUAN HAI KOU has transported approximately 4,000 China-branded vehicles to international markets, with more than 90 percent of the cargo consisting of new energy vehicles. The shipment includes vehicles from leading Chinese automakers such as BYD, Chery, and Xiamen King Long Buses.

The vessel will sequentially call at strategically vital Eurasian ports including Singapore, Tunisia's La Goulette, Italy's Livorno, Greece's Piraeus, and Turkey's Derince. This planned route will significantly enhance the operational efficiency of Mediterranean shipping networks while establishing a reliable and high-capacity maritime corridor for China-Europe automotive trade.