The reported expansion could increase BYD’s shipping fleet to 18 vessels and boost its global vehicle export capacity.
Chinese automaker BYD is reportedly preparing to expand its dedicated vehicle shipping operations by ordering 10 additional car carriers, each with a capacity of 9,200 car equivalent units (CEU). The reported move highlights the company’s growing focus on strengthening its international vehicle distribution network.
According to maritime publications New Ships and Robin Assasfina, the proposed order would increase BYD’s owned or controlled shipping fleet to 18 vessels. Together, the ships would provide a combined carrying capacity of more than 130,000 CEU.
The vessels are expected to be constructed by China Merchants Industry at its Jinling and Haimen shipyards. Deliveries are reportedly scheduled to take place between 2027 and 2029. However, neither BYD nor the shipbuilder has officially confirmed the reported order, and the contract’s financial value remains undisclosed.
New Ships Could Add 92,000 CEU Capacity
The 10 proposed vessels would add approximately 92,000 CEU to BYD’s shipping capabilities. CEU is a standard maritime measurement used to indicate vehicle-carrying capacity, rather than an exact count of cars, as vehicles vary in size.
The ships are expected to be pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs), using roll-on/roll-off technology. This system allows vehicles to be driven directly onto and off the vessels, eliminating the need for traditional shipping containers.
BYD completed its initial eight-ship fleet in September 2025 after the delivery of BYD Jinan. The existing fleet includes Explorer No. 1, Hefei, Changzhou, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Changsha and Zhengzhou.
Depending on the vessel type, the company’s current carriers can accommodate approximately 7,200 to 9,000 vehicles. The first vessel, Explorer No. 1, was delivered in January 2024, marking the beginning of BYD’s rapid expansion into maritime logistics.
Global Exports Remain a Major Priority
BYD’s shipping operations are also supporting vehicle exports from manufacturing facilities outside China. In September 2025, BYD Zhengzhou transported right-hand-drive vehicles from the company’s Thailand plant to the United Kingdom.
Thailand-based production offers BYD an alternative export route to European markets, where vehicles manufactured in China face additional tariffs.
According to the China Passenger Car Association, BYD exported 184,000 passenger vehicles from China in August, representing a 131% year-on-year increase. Between January and August, its exports reached 1.127 million vehicles, up 88% compared with the same period in 2025.
The reported fleet expansion could further strengthen BYD’s international distribution network as the automaker seeks to increase its presence in overseas markets.