BYD launched its second sea monster

Chinese manufacturer BYD continues its international expansion by deploying its second roll-on/roll-off vessel, the Changzhou.

BYD puts into service its second roll-on/roll-off ship, the Changzhou. A roll-on/roll-off ship, or Ro-Ro, is a cargo vessel designed to carry wheeled goods such as cars or trucks. Vehicles enter the ship and leave on their own power. This gigantic vessel is designed to transport the world’s electrified vehicles to European markets. And the ship lives up to the brand’s ambitions! It measures 200 meters in length and can carry up to 7,000 vehicles. Currently on its maiden voyage, it is sailing to Europe with “only” 4,750 cars on board. This ship was launched in October 2024 in the port of Yantai, in Shandong Province, and was built by CIMC Raffles.

A rapidly growing fleet

The BYD Changzhou is the second ship directly owned and operated by BYD, after the Hefei, launched in September 2024. Adding to these two ships is the BYD Explorer No.1, commissioned in January 2024 but leased to Zodiac Maritime. Hefei and Changzhou are named after BYD manufacturing sites in China, respectively in Hefei and Changzhou. The first ship was built by Guangzhou Shipyard International, while the second comes from CIMC Raffles’ shipyards.

Matching BYD’s ambitions

BYD plans to strengthen its fleet with the launch of seven additional roll-on/roll-off ships, thereby consolidating its logistical capacity to meet growing demand in foreign markets. These vessels, specialized in transporting wheeled goods, play a crucial role in exporting vehicles manufactured in China to Europe and other strategic markets.

With this strategy, BYD asserts its ambition to become a major player in the global electric vehicle sector while controlling the logistics aspects of its exports.

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