Grimaldi Group has signed letters of intent for up to 10 additional pure car/truck carriers (PCTCs) at Chinese shipyards, according to the group's president, Emanuele Grimaldi. The vessels are expected to be built at China Merchants Heavy Industry and Guangzhou Shipyard International, two yards with which the Italian owner has previously placed newbuilding orders. The move signals continued expansion by Grimaldi into the car-carrier segment, which has seen strong demand in recent years driven by rising global vehicle exports, particularly from China. Letters of intent typically precede firm shipbuilding contracts, with final terms, specifications and pricing still to be confirmed before definitive agreements are signed. Grimaldi Group, one of the world's largest operators of roll-on/roll-off and car-carrier tonnage, has been steadily growing its PCTC fleet through a mix of newbuilding orders and secondhand acquisitions in response to surging charter rates and tight vessel availability. China Merchants Heavy Industry and Guangzhou Shipyard International have both become key suppliers of large car carriers amid a broader boom in orders for the vessel type across Chinese yards. Further details on the size, specification and delivery schedule of the proposed newbuildings have not yet been disclosed.