The equation is simple. The Chinese automobile industry produces 30 million vehicles per year and continues to invest massively. In 2023, it sold 21.7 million cars on its domestic market, stored 3.2 million and exported 5.2 million. A record, which in the opinion of all observers in China, is only the beginning.
A clear sign that the maritime industry produced, in 2023, 68 ro-ro boats, specialized in car transport, instead of 5 in previous years, underlined Camille Bortolini, industry and digital advisor at the French embassy in Beijing in a presentation made to 80 automotive professionals (dealers, repairers, equipment manufacturers, etc.) taken by their professional organization Mobilians, to Beijing, on April 24.
The first Chinese manufacturer of electric or hybrid vehicles, BYD, which has become world number one in this category, has decided to have its own fleet. It has received a first ship and six others must be delivered to it in 2025. It uses its first “ro-ro”, the other name for ro-ro ships, short for roll-in roll-outfrom China to Europe while purchasing space from other carriers.
“Ships full on the way there and back”
According to the specialized site Ports and Corridors, SAIC Motor, owner, among others, of the MG brand, and Chery have also placed orders. In total, Chinese manufacturers would equip themselves with 47 boats. But they are not the only ones: there are currently around 700 ro-ro vessels in the world, and 30% to 35% additional capacity on order, it is estimated at CMA CGM. Having become the leading global player in automotive logistics since the acquisition, in 2022, of Gefco by its subsidiary Ceva Logistics, the French shipowner is also strengthening.
“In 2024, Ceva deploys four new deep-sea car carrier vessels, each with a transport capacity of 7,000 cars”notes a spokesperson. Indianapolis, Monaco, Monza And Silverstone… Three others are under construction, one of which, the Daytona, which will be delivered Friday April 26. All have car racing circuit names. These ships are partly chartered by CMA CGM from the Singaporean company Eastern Pacific Shipping and partly owned. The Marseille shipowner’s objective is to transport 140,000 vehicles per year, as much as the annual production of the Stellantis factory in Poissy (Yvelines).
“Our ships are full on the outward journey but also on the return journey to Asia », specifies CMA CGM, citing the first two trips of theIndianapolis and Monaco. The main transport flows are between Asia and North America: 17% of the market, movements which should be stable or very slightly decreasing. On the other hand, flows from Asia to Europe, 13%, are expected to increase by 3.7% per year on average over the next four years. Transportation from China to Europe costs $1,500 (1,404 euros) per car. Sea freight professionals speak of a “supercycle”.