Guangzhou Shipyard Delivers First LNG-Powered Car Carrier for H-Line Shipping
Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) and China Shipbuilding Trading, both subsidiaries of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), have officially christened and delivered the first of two 8,600 CEU liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered dual-fuel car carriers built for South Korea’s H-Line Shipping.
Glovis Trust Delivered at Nansha Port
The newly built vessel, Glovis Trust, was handed over on February 27, 2025, at the Haijia automobile terminal in Nansha Port. This port, situated at the estuary of the Pearl River, is approximately 65 kilometers from the sea.
Glovis Trust is expected to be chartered by Hyundai Glovis, a logistics company under South Korea’s Hyundai Group. Meanwhile, the second vessel in this order, placed in early 2023, is scheduled for delivery in 2026.
Glovis Trust: Specifications and Capabilities
According to Guangzhou Shipyard International, Glovis Trust boasts the following specifications:
- Length: 200 meters
- Width: 38 meters
- Design Draft: 9.2 meters
- Speed: 19 knots (~35 km/h)
The vessel’s dual-fuel capability allows it to operate on clean LNG, achieving significant emission reductions in compliance with Tier III emission regulations set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Eco-Friendly and Energy-Efficient Features
GSI has emphasized that Glovis Trust is equipped with advanced eco-friendly and energy-efficient technology. The ship features a smart navigation system designed to optimize operations, enhance cargo handling, and improve overall efficiency and safety.
Additional energy-saving and emissions-reducing technologies on board include:
- Main engine exhaust gas waste heat recovery system
- Optimized hull design for enhanced hydrodynamics
- Propeller duct for improved propulsion efficiency
An Upgraded Version of Previous LNG-Powered PCTCs
The Liberia-flagged Glovis Trust is an upgraded version of H-Line Shipping’s 7,000 CEU LNG-powered PCTC series ordered from GSI in 2022. The final ship of that series, Glovis Success, was delivered in November 2024, following the earlier deliveries of:
- Glovis Solar (April 2024)
- Glovis Sunshine (July 2024)
- Glovis Selene (September 2024)
GSI’s Expanding PCTC Portfolio
As of 2025, Guangzhou Shipyard International has secured around 40 PCTC orders and has successfully delivered 13 units to date.
In April 2024, Bermuda-based shipowner and charterer SFL Corporation took delivery of Thor Highway, the fourth and final LNG-powered dual-fuel car carrier in its series built by GSI. The vessel was subsequently leased to Japan’s Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K-Line) under a ten-year charter agreement.
Upcoming 10,800 CEU LNG/Dual-Fuel PCTC for HMM
More recently, in mid-February 2025, Guangzhou Shipyard International commenced construction on a 10,800 CEU LNG/dual-fuel PCTC for South Korean shipping giant HMM. In addition to LNG propulsion, the new vessel is designed to be ammonia- and methanol-ready, highlighting the industry’s shift toward future-proof, low-emission shipping solutions.
This vessel is part of a ten-unit order placed in December 2023, backed by charterer Hyundai Glovis.
