Geely, a prominent player in the automotive industry, has taken a significant step by launching its own car carrier fleet. The company recently commissioned its first self-operated vessel, named Jisu Fortune, marking a new era in the transportation of its vehicles.
Jisu Fortune embarked on its maiden voyage to Europe from the port of Suzhou in Jiangsu province, China. The vessel is set to transport over 5,000 vehicles to various European countries, including the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
This initiative by Geely’s logistics company, Jisu Logistics, demonstrates the company’s commitment to enhancing its supply chain operations. The decision to operate its own fleet aligns with the strategies of other local automotive giants like BYD, who have also ventured into self-operated logistics.
The Jisu Fortune is an impressive vessel, boasting an overall length of 199.9 meters, a beam of 38 meters, and a capacity of 7,000 standard loading spaces. With 12 decks capable of carrying a range of vehicles, including fuel cars, lithium battery vehicles, and new energy vehicles powered by hydrogen and natural gas, the vessel is equipped to meet diverse transportation needs.
In line with Geely’s focus on sustainability, the Jisu Fortune utilizes clean LNG fuel as its primary source of energy. The vessel features two sets of 2,000-cubic-meter LNG storage tanks, significantly reducing emissions such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.
While details about the vessel’s ownership were not disclosed in the announcement, reports suggest that Jisu Fortune was chartered to Jisu Logistics by Israeli shipowner Zodiac Maritime Ltd. This partnership reflects the collaborative efforts in the maritime industry to enhance transportation efficiency and sustainability.
Geely’s foray into self-operated logistics comes at a time when the company is experiencing rapid growth in the new energy vehicle (NEV) market. With impressive sales figures in the first four months of the year, Geely has emerged as a formidable player in China’s NEV sector, ranking second in retail NEV sales.
As Geely expands its presence in the NEV market, the launch of its own car carrier fleet signifies a strategic move to strengthen its supply chain capabilities and cater to the growing demand for eco-friendly transportation solutions. With the Jisu Fortune setting sail on its inaugural journey, Geely is poised to make significant strides in the automotive logistics landscape.
