Nominal Capacity is Not Sellable
A new car carrier with a capacity of 9,800 CEU has reached the port of Naples, according to what was confirmed by the Grimaldi Group in its official statement on August 12, 2026. The Grande Pacifico represents a 9% increase compared to previous models, as specified by Container News. However, the nominal capacity figure does not correspond to the actual number of slots available for cargo on a specific route.
According to a white paper published by Logisoft on August 7, 2026, a ship classified with 8,500 CEU does not have 8,500 sellable slots in each voyage. The gap between the rating and the actual capacity is caused by five constraints: slope of internal ramps, weight limit per deck, space required for fire safety systems, minimum distance between vehicles, and double-row stowage requirements. These factors reduce the effective capacity by 15-20%.
The gap manifests in customs clearance times
Operational data from the Grimaldi Group does not indicate the actual number of vehicles transported by the Grande Pacifico on its first voyage. However, a comparative analysis with similar models shows that an increase of 9% in nominal CEU translates to an average physical increase of approximately 750-800 units on transatlantic routes. This difference is determined by structural factors: the width of the ship (38 meters) allows for more rows, but the double-sided ramps limit the number of vehicles that can be loaded simultaneously.
The operational consequence is an increase in the average loading time. According to internal data from the Grimaldi Group, the average stowing duration per PCTC ship with 9,000 CEU was 18 hours in 2025. With the Grande Pacifico, the initial operations required 24 hours due to the complexity of the internal layout and loading restrictions on each deck.
The cost per unit is not structurally reduced
The economic effect of the dimensional increase depends on the ratio between effective capacity and fixed costs. The Great Pacific has a gross tonnage of 220,000 GT, a service speed of 18 knots, and a length of 95,534 meters. The annual operating costs per PCTC vessel are estimated at approximately $76 million, according to sources in the maritime industry.
If we assume that the actual volume transported increases by 9% compared to previous models, but the nominal capacity is greater by an additional 15-20%, then the effect on cost per unit is reduced. The calculation shows that the cost per vehicle only decreases if the actual volume grows by 9% and fixed costs remain stable. However, the additional operational complexity increases transit times, with a direct impact on working capital.
The narrative claims cost reduction; the data shows an increase in logistical risk.
The Grimaldi Group‘s press release states that the Grande Pacifico improves operational efficiency. However, the reality of operations is more complex: an increase in nominal capacity does not necessarily imply a proportional decrease in unit costs if physical and procedural constraints limit the number of vehicles actually stowed.
The discrepancy manifests in two key areas: first, the difference between nominal capacity and sellable capacity; second, the increase in average loading time, which negatively impacts the operating cycle. The cost per unit does not structurally decrease if the actual volume does not grow by at least 15%. In the absence of certain data on the actual volumes transported by the Grande Pacifico during its first voyage, the claim of cost reduction remains an unverified projection.
Photo by Felix on Unsplash
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