Ningbo Ocean Shipping has entered the car carrier market, launching its first ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) service to Europe with the brand new 7,000 ceu (car equivalent units) LNG dual-fuel vessel Clean Star, according to Splash247. Splash247 reported the vessel is loading more than 5,400 new energy vehicles (NEVs) at the Meixi Ro-Ro Terminal in Ningbo-Zhoushan Port before heading for Gioia Tauro and Barcelona, with the voyage from eastern China to the Mediterranean expected to take around 20 days.
A maiden voyage ceremony was held this week at the Meixi Ro-Ro Terminal, Splash247 reported. The launch marks Ningbo Ocean Shipping's formal move into vehicle transportation and extends its network to continental Europe for the first time. The Zhejiang province-based carrier runs around 120 vessels and has traditionally focused on container, dry bulk and breakbulk trades, according to Splash247. The entry comes amid rapid growth in Chinese vehicle exports: China shipped 5.096 million vehicles overseas during the first half of 2026, up 65.3% year-on-year, with new energy vehicle exports more than doubling to 2.355 million units.
Vessel and charter details
The 7,000 ceu Clean Star, built by Yantai CIMC Raffles, has been chartered by Ningbo Ocean Shipping for two years at a reported $80,000 per day. Splash247 said the contract is expected to generate around $56 million in revenue for owners Atlas Maritime and European Maritime Finance over its initial term. The ship is nearly 200 m long, has 12 vehicle decks and can carry passenger cars, trucks, construction machinery and other high-and-heavy cargoes. It can operate on LNG or conventional fuel, is shore-power capable and has an ammonia-ready notation.
Route and capacity
The maiden voyage links Ningbo-Zhoushan's Meixi Ro-Ro Terminal with the Mediterranean ports of Gioia Tauro and Barcelona, Splash247 reported, with the east China-to-Mediterranean transit expected at around 20 days. The service gives vehicle makers and forwarders a direct ro-ro connection from China's automobile export heartland to southern Europe.
Shipper and operator implications
For shippers, freight forwarders and 3PL operators, the new service adds a named-carrier option on the China–Mediterranean vehicle lane just as Chinese vehicle export volumes are surging. The Clean Star's LNG dual-fuel capability and shore-power readiness may help logistics providers meet environmental requirements at European ports of call. Forwarders should confirm space availability across the two-year charter and clarify cargo mix terms, since the vessel accepts passenger cars, trucks, construction machinery and other high-and-heavy cargoes across its 12 decks, according to Splash247.
Key finding: China shipped 5.096 million vehicles overseas in the first half of 2026, up 65.3% year-on-year, with NEV exports more than doubling to 2.355 million units, according to Splash247.
The table below summarises the service parameters reported by Splash247:
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Ningbo Ocean Shipping |
| Vessel | Clean Star — 7,000 ceu, LNG dual-fuel, 12 decks, ~200 m LOA |
| Builder / charter source | Yantai CIMC Raffles / Atlas Maritime & European Maritime Finance |
| Charter terms | Two years at reported $80,000/day (≈$56m revenue) |
| Maiden cargo | 5,400+ new energy vehicles |
| Loading port | Meixi Ro-Ro Terminal, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port |
| European discharge ports | Gioia Tauro, Barcelona |
| Transit time | ~20 days (East China–Mediterranean) |
Watch list
- Whether Ningbo Ocean Shipping extends or expands beyond the two-year Clean Star charter, which is reported at $80,000 per day.
- Second-half 2026 figures for Chinese vehicle exports and NEV shipments, following H1's 65.3% annual growth and doubling of NEV exports to 2.355 million units.
- Handling performance at the Meixi Ro-Ro Terminal and discharge operations at Gioia Tauro and Barcelona.
- Acceptance of LNG dual-fuel and shore-power capable vessels at European ro-ro terminals, including the Clean Star's ammonia-ready notation.
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