BYD launches its first LNG-fuelled car carrier

Chinese automaker BYD has launched its first LNG-fueled pure car and truck carrier, Explorer No.1, it said on January 15.

The vessel was officially delivered at Yantai Port in Shandong Province on January 10 before commencing its maiden journey from Xiaomo International Logistics Port in Shenzhen, China.

"The launch of Explorer No. 1 further cements BYD's vertical integration and position as a global NEV manufacturing leader," stated the company on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Explorer No.1 was constructed by China's Yantai CIMC Raffles Shipyard. The vessel, chartered to BYD by UK-based Zodiac Maritime, boasts a loading capacity of 7,000 vehicles and a dual-fuel system, capable of running on both LNG and conventional fuel.

BYD's plans for the future are ambitious, with intentions to launch seven more ships over the next two years. In 2023, BYD exported 242,765 NEVs, up 334.2% year/year.