BYD car ferry completes maiden voyage

If you think BYD's expansion here has been impressive, you'll be glad to know that it is not anywhere close to losing steam when it comes to its global expansion.

The firm has seen the completion of the inaugural voyage of its first dedicated roll-on/roll-off carrier (for transporting more examples of the Seal and Dolphin, no doubt). The ship, named Explorer No.1, made the journey from Xiaomo International Logistics Port in Shenzhen, China to Yantai Port in Shandong Province.

The BYD Explorer No.1 measures nearly 200m long, and can carry up to 7,000 vehicles

That's a journey from one port in China to another in the same country, sure. But the firm states that it plans to purchase seven more vessels, all designed to further BYD's vision for greener maritime transportation, and that this first maiden voyage is a pivotal step for BYD's plans to expand its overseas markets, so expect to see more BYD cars wherever you go for your holidays. BYD also plans to deploy its ships not only for its own operations, but to also engage in open partnerships which it states will help put more Chinese manufacturers on the international stage.

Back to the BYD Explorer No.1, the ship is said to measure nearly 200m in length, allowing it to carry a total of 7,000 vehicles. It's not all-electric, as BYD states that it comes powered by a dual-fuel liquefied natural gas and conventional fuel propulsion system, although it does state that its ships will integrate its energy storage battery technology and shaft generator systems.

BYD exported a total of 242,765 new energy vehicles while its total annual new energy vehicle sales reached over 3.02 million units in 2023. The firm's new energy footprint is said to already span a total of 70 countries and regions.