BYD’s new car carrier, BYD Hefei, set sail today, marking the third vessel in the company’s fleet. This follows the introduction of the first vessel, BYD Explorer No. 1, in January 2024, and the second vessel, BYD Changzhou, in December 2024.
The BYD Hefei completed construction at the end of September 2024 and was unveiled today as it set sail from Guangzhou, Guangdong province. The vessel is part of BYD’s efforts to expand its presence in the international shipping industry.
The first vessel in BYD’s fleet, BYD Explorer No. 1, was chartered to BYD in January 2024 and marked the beginning of the company’s foray into the maritime sector. With plans to have a total of seven ro-ro vessels in operation over the next two years, BYD is making significant strides in the shipping industry.
BYD Hefei, a 7,000-car dual-fuel ro-ro ship, was officially undocked on September 20, 2024, signifying the completion of its construction and readiness for sea operations. This vessel is the first car carrier owned by BYD and is named after the city where one of its vehicle production sites is located.
Measuring 199.9 meters in length, with a beam of 38 meters and a design speed of 18.5 knots, the BYD Hefei represents a significant investment in BYD’s maritime capabilities. Similarly, BYD Changzhou, the second vessel in the fleet, was put into operation on December 2, 2024, further expanding the company’s shipping capacity.
With a focus on supporting BYD’s expansion in overseas markets, the larger fleet of car carriers is expected to play a crucial role in the company’s growth strategy. In 2024, BYD reported record sales of 4,272,145 NEVs, with overseas markets accounting for 9.77% of total sales.
As BYD continues to strengthen its position in the electric vehicle market, the addition of new car carriers like BYD Hefei and BYD Changzhou will play a key role in facilitating the company’s global expansion.
