World’s Largest Car Carrier, BYD Shenzhen sets world record

May 1, 2025

Beijing, China--BYD’s Shenzhen will transport more than 7,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs) from Taicang, Jiangsu province in China, to Brazil; it has space for 9,200 automobiles; the cargo hold is the size of 20 standard soccer playing fields, is 219.9 meters long, 37.7 meters tall, and has 16 decks, setting the new world record for being the World’s Largest Car Carrier, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"BYD’s Shenzhen has set sail for the first time. The world’s largest car carrier, the Chinese company’s fourth, will transport more than 7,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs) to Brazil. BYD has dispatched its new car carrier, the Shenzhen, to Brazil, with more than 7,000 vehicles in its hold. It was officially handed over to the automaker on April 22, 2025. It will berth at Itajai Port after 30 days.

"The vessel, the largest car transported in the world, was not loaded to full capacity when it sailed off on April 27 from Taicang, Jiangsu province in China. It has space for 9,200 automobiles, and the cargo hold is the size of 20 standard soccer playing fields.

"Following BYD’s ship nomenclature, Shenzhen is named after the Chinese city of the same name, where the carmaker has a major production hub. It is 219.9 meters long, 37.7 meters tall, and has 16 decks," the Notebook Check reports.

"The new car carriers will help accelerate BYD’s aggressive overseas expansion. In the first three months of 2025, the company sold over 206,000 NEVs overseas, more than double the number it sold last year," the Electrek reports.

"BYD sells a wide range of vehicles in Brazil, including the low-cost Dolphin Mini, starting at around $20,000 (99,800 BRL). In October, it launched its first hybrid pickup truck, the Shark, starting at 379,800 BTL ($66,900).

"Brazil is only one overseas market that BYD is targeting. BYD’s sales are expected to double in Europe in 2025, with significant growth in other key regions like Southeast Asia, Japan, Mexico, and South Korea, to name a few."

"The 219-metre LOA vessel is part of a four-ship class designed by Deltamarin. BYD Shenzhen surpasses in capacity Höegh Aurora, Höegh Autoliner’s first Aurora-class vessel, which has a capacity of 9100 cars," The Daily Cargo News reports.

"The 16,300 dwt carrier also reportedly incorporates technologies designed to increase efficiency, including LNG fuel-capacity as well as high-efficiency, energy-saving main engines that can provide a speed of 19 knots.

"On the technical side, BYD Shenzhen also employs a Boil-Off Gas recondenser, anti-fouling, drag-reducing coasting, and shaft generators, and boasts a hybrid 1 MW battery power syste, and shore power capability."

"On April 27, BYD’s fourth RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) ship – Shenzhen – officially started its first ocean voyage to Brazil with more than 7,000 new energy vehicles onboard starting from Jiangsu, China. Brazil is BYD’s largest overseas market and the automaker has the fastest growth in investment in Brazil among Chinese automakers in the past two years," the CarNewsChina.com reports.

"Then on April 22, BYD held a delivery ceremony for Shenzhen, which measures 219.9 meters long and 37.7 meters wide with 12 decks. The BYD Shenzhen can travel up to a speed of 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h) and carry up to 9,200 vehicles simultaneously, which is equivalent to an area of 20 football fields, making it the largest car carrier in the world, according to the official. The ship also adopts a dual-fuel propulsion system using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and conventional fuel.

"In the first quarter of 2025, BYD said its RoRo ships have transported more than 25,000 new energy vehicles from China to overseas. This number is small compared to BYD’s first quarter overseas sales figure, which was 206,000 units, a year-on-year increase of approximately 110%. In March alone, BYD’s overseas sales were 72,723 units. In the coming years, BYD is expected to greatly expand its car carrier fleet to meet the demands."