Sallaum Lines has placed an order with China Merchants Shipyard for a new vehicle carrier capable of transporting around 8,600 passenger cars, with an option for a second vessel.
The ship, due for delivery in 2029, will be powered by an LNG dual-fuel propulsion system and built with an ammonia-ready design, allowing it to be converted to run on ammonia should the fuel become commercially viable in the future.
The agreement follows another order announced only weeks earlier for two similar vessels at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry, with options for two more. Together, the contracts continue Sallaum Lines’ fleet renewal programme as demand for vehicle transport remains supported by global automotive trade.
The latest order brings the company’s newbuilding programme to nine vessels with a combined value of more than USD 850 million. Four ships have already entered service, while two more are scheduled for delivery later this year and a further three in 2029.
Designed to transport more than just passenger cars, the new vessel will also be able to carry vans, trucks, buses, agricultural machinery, construction equipment and other wheeled cargo. This flexibility reflects changing trade patterns, with vehicle carriers increasingly used to transport a wider range of rolling freight alongside cars.
The ship’s LNG dual-fuel propulsion system will enable it to operate on liquefied natural gas or conventional marine fuels. Its ammonia-ready design also provides the option of adopting an alternative fuel as shipping technologies and regulations continue to evolve.
Hasan Sallaum, Managing Director of Sallaum Lines, said:The automotive logistics market is changing. Customers need capacity, reliability, flexibility, and a clear environmental direction from their shipping partners. With this newbuilding programme, we are investing in all of these areas.
The new vessel will be LNG dual-fuel and ammonia-ready, giving us a practical solution for today and future readiness for tomorrow. This is how we believe modern fleet development should be done: with scale, discipline, and flexibility.
The investment comes as shipping companies continue to renew their vehicle carrier fleets to accommodate changing environmental requirements and growing demand for the transport of passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles and heavy rolling equipment.
