The Suez Canal welcomed on Thursday the maiden voyage of the AICC HUANGHU, a car carrier transporting 4,202 vehicles. The vessel, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, traveled from Shanghai, China, to Derince Port in Turkey, and is the first of a new class of ships designed for Asia-Europe trade via the Suez Canal. The AICC HUANGHU, measuring 199 metres in length, 38 metres in width, and with a 10-metre draught, has a capacity of 7,000 cars. It features an eco-friendly dual-fuel engine capable of running on liquefied natural gas, promoting more sustainable shipping practices. This is the first of three such vessels that China's AICC Shipping plans to launch this year for operation between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal. Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman, Osama Rabie emphasised the importance of these vessels for the canal. He explained that the Suez Canal shortens the Shanghai to Derince route by approximately 45 per cent, from 14,600 nautical miles via the Cape of Good Hope to just 8,071 nautical miles. This translates to an 18-day reduction in travel time, lower operating costs, and reduced fuel consumption and emissions, he noted. AICC HUANGHU Captain confirmed that the Suez Canal was chosen because of its shorter, more environmentally friendly route, making it the optimal choice for international shipping. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
