China is leading a quiet revolution in the automotive and maritime sectors, and the connection between them runs deeper than many realize. With the unstoppable rise of the Chinese electric vehicle market, the country is shipping such a large number of battery-powered cars abroad that it is facing a shortage of cargo ships to meet the growing demand. This trend, which is gaining momentum every year, signals a significant shift in global trade and the automotive industry.

Electrek data points to a growing and sustained demand for Chinese-made electric vehicles. The massive export of these automobiles is putting the country on the path to building the fourth largest fleet in the world in just a few years. Such is the magnitude of this export that new commercial routes are being planned to handle the growing volume of vehicles manufactured in China.

To contextualize the impact of this export in terms of maritime transport, it is essential to note that China currently has the eighth largest fleet of automotive ships in the world, with 33 registered ships. While this number is impressive, it is surpassed by countries such as Japan, Norway, South Korea and the Isle of Man. However, China is moving quickly to change this scenario, with 47 new ships ordered by local companies, representing a quarter of all global orders.

Analysts estimate that after the delivery of these new ships, China’s share of automobile transportation will jump from 2.4% to 8.7%, a significant increase that reflects the rapid growth of the Chinese automotive industry in the global market.

China has already left behind Japan as the world’s largest auto exporter, with companies such as BYD, Tesla and Volkswagen expanding their export operations. For example, BYD alone exported more than 240,000 vehicles last year, representing about 8% of its global sales. And the company’s ambitions for 2024 are even greater, with plans to export up to 400,000 electric cars. To accommodate this demand, BYD is investing in a fleet of specialized ships, built to transport up to 7,000 cars each.

Maritime transport plays a crucial role in this export process, with roll-on/roll-off ships being the preferred choice. These ships allow vehicles to be driven directly on board, simplifying the loading and unloading process. In recent years, the shipping industry has faced challenges, with retirements of older models and a drop in orders for new ships. However, the Chinese electric car export landscape is changing this outlook, driving demand for new specialized ships to meet the growing need for car transport.

In short, China’s rise as a leading exporter of electric vehicles is redefining not only the global automotive market, but also the shipping sector. With a rising demand for cargo ships to transport its growing production of electric automobiles, China is demonstrating its influence and power in the global economy. This is just the beginning of a new era in the automotive industry, where China is quickly positioning itself as an undisputed leader.