The vessel, named after BYD's Changzhou factory, stretches 199.9 meters long and can carry up to 7,000 standard vehicles. It uses advanced LNG dual-fuel propulsion, which cuts down on carbon emissions during its travels. BYD built the ship to meet high international standards.
Before reaching Yantai, the ship picked up vehicles at two other ports in Jiangsu province - Lianyungang and Taicang. This new vessel follows BYD's first ship, EXPLORER NO.1, which launched on January 15, 2024.
BYD's decision to own its fleet of ships brings several advantages. The company now controls its logistics, can cut costs, and reduce transit times. This move also helps BYD respond faster to market needs and compete better globally. It ensures BYD can deliver its products on time and boosts the company's image worldwide.
"Having our own ships lets us control our exports better," a BYD spokesperson said. "We can now deliver our eco-friendly vehicles to customers around the world more efficiently."
The launch of BYD CHANGZHOU comes at a time when China's auto exports are growing rapidly. From January to October 2024, China exported 5.28 million vehicles, a 25% increase from the previous year.
BYD has expanded its reach to 99 countries and regions worldwide. The company plans to deploy more ships like BYD CHANGZHOU to support its global delivery of high-quality, eco-friendly vehicles.
As BYD continues to grow internationally, owning its fleet of ships will play a crucial role in its expansion strategy. These vessels will help the company meet the increasing demand for its new energy vehicles in markets across the globe.