Suez Canal: The Suez Canal celebrated the inaugural journey of the AICC HUANGHU, a car carrier transporting 4,202 vehicles, as it crossed the canal on Thursday. The vessel, which sails under the Marshall Islands flag, embarked on its journey from Shanghai, China, heading towards Derince Port in Turkey. It represents the first of a new class of ships specifically designed for the Asia-Europe trade route via the Suez Canal.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the AICC HUANGHU measures 199 meters in length, 38 meters in width, and has a draught of 10 meters, with a total capacity of 7,000 cars. It is equipped with an eco-friendly dual-fuel engine that can operate on liquefied natural gas, promoting sustainable shipping practices. This vessel is the first of three that China’s AICC Shipping intends to launch this year to operate between Asia and Europe through the Suez Canal.

Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman, Osama Rabie, highlighted the significance of these vessels for the canal. He explained that the passage through the Suez Canal reduces the distance between Shanghai and Derince by approximately 45 percent-from 14,600 nautical miles via the Cape of Good Hope to just 8,071 nautical miles. This results in an 18-day reduction in travel time, alongside reduced operating costs, fuel consumption, and emissions.

The captain of AICC HUANGHU confirmed the decision to utilize the Suez Canal, citing its shorter and more environmentally friendly route as the optimal choice for international shipping.