BYD has started sea trials for its two newest car carriers, BYD Xi’an and BYD Changsha, each capable of transporting up to 9,200 vehicles — among the highest cargo capacities globally for automotive transport vessels.
The announcement was made Thursday by semi-official Weibo account @小迪快报, which tracks developments related to BYD. The two vessels are expected to enter service soon, marking a key step in the Chinese automaker’s push to enhance its international logistics capabilities.
The BYD Changsha and BYD Xi’an will be the fifth and sixth ships in the company’s expanding fleet, joining earlier vessels including BYD Explorer No. 1, BYD Hefei, BYD Changzhou, and BYD Shenzhen. Last month, BYD also launched a seventh vessel, though its name has not yet been disclosed.
The BYD Shenzhen remains the only 9,200-capacity carrier currently in operation and recently completed its maiden voyage with an arrival in Brazil. BYD’s car carriers are typically named after Chinese cities that host its manufacturing bases, with the exception of its inaugural vessel, Explorer No. 1.
BYD has seen rapid growth in global new energy vehicle (NEV) sales and is positioning itself as a vertically integrated player in global markets. The company plans to sell 5.5 million vehicles in 2025, including over 800,000 units overseas, according to BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu in a March statement.
The expansion of its dedicated shipping fleet underscores BYD’s intent to manage and streamline vehicle exports as it scales up deliveries to key markets in Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia.