BYD has placed an order for ten pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) across three Chinese shipyards, in a deal valued at over $1 billion. Each vessel is priced above $100 million, with deliveries scheduled between 2029 and 2031. BYD Executive Vice President Li Ke confirmed the order in an overseas interview, attributing the move to a persistent shortfall in ro-ro shipping capacity needed to support the automaker's overseas vehicle exports. Once the new vessels enter service, BYD's PCTC fleet will expand to 18 ships with a combined capacity exceeding 130,000 CEU. This builds on eight carriers delivered between January 2024 and September 2025 under an earlier shipbuilding programme worth 5 billion yuan. The latest order significantly increases both the size and capacity of BYD's dedicated car-carrier fleet. According to TrustedDocks orderbook data, the order was placed and reported on 24 August 2026, with each of the ten firm vessels rated at about 8,600 CEU and fitted with LNG-fueled propulsion; the deal also includes options for four additional sister ships. The contract forms part of a broader surge in PCTC orders at Chinese shipyards, driven by rapid growth in the country's automotive export sector. Other companies placing large PCTC orders at Chinese yards this year include Global Car Carriers, Ray Car Carriers, and Leno Shipping. The trend underscores growing demand for dedicated vehicle-shipping capacity as Chinese automakers expand their presence in overseas markets.
