Suardiaz Group is the first Spanish company to have an LNG-powered vessel in the Car Carrier segment. The company will add new vessels powered by dual-fuel LNG technology. The first, the RS Atlantico, with capacity for 5,500 cars, has just been delivered and forms part of an ongoing investment plan through which the Group is strengthening its position as a global logistics provider.
Suardiaz Group has taken a further step in its growth strategy with the departure from China of the first of the new PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier) vessels it will add to its operations, powered by dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines.
Its entry into service will strengthen Suardiaz Shipping Lines’ operational capacity in the maritime transport of vehicles and rolling cargo. These will also be the largest vessels in the company’s history, and with them, Suardiaz becomes the first Spanish shipowner to have an LNG-powered vessel in the Car Carrier segment.
This forms part of a sustained investment strategy that the Group has been developing for years to strengthen its position as a global logistics provider, expand its capabilities and respond to the transformation of supply chains.
Suardiaz Group has pursued an ambitious growth strategy that includes the renewal of its fleet (chemical tankers, offshore vessels, Car Carriers, etc.), the expansion of its international presence, investment in logistics infrastructure and specialised capabilities for the industrial and energy sectors, as well as the development of multimodal solutions integrating maritime, road and rail transport, forwarding, industrial logistics, port services and offshore projects. This strategy represents a cumulative investment of more than €360 million over the last six years.
“International logistics is undergoing a period of profound transformation, and the industry needs reliable partners capable of offering increasingly sophisticated solutions that are prepared to address new challenges. Control over logistics chains is becoming a fundamental asset for the global economy, and this is where Suardiaz, through its investment plan, is positioning itself as an essential player for our customers,” said Juan Riva, CEO of Suardiaz Group.
An investment in support of innovation and sustainability
The addition of this new PCTC reflects Suardiaz’s commitment to continuous improvement, integrating different modes of transport and adapting to the needs of a constantly evolving market.
With an approximate capacity of 5,500 cars, 55,000 GT and a length of 190 metres, the vessel has been designed to transport vehicles, machinery and High & Heavy cargo, increasing available capacity to serve Suardiaz Group’s existing customers in the automotive sector, where the company has a long track record, as well as strengthening existing routes. Its dual-fuel propulsion system, designed to operate on liquefied natural gas, is a transitional technology aligned with the decarbonisation of international maritime transport and the evolution of the sector’s environmental regulations. The RS Atlantico is expected to arrive in the final quarter of 2026, while a second vessel will be added in mid-2027.
With more than seven decades of experience, Suardiaz has evolved from its maritime origins to become a group specialising in comprehensive logistics solutions, with an international presence and diversified services. Today, it operates through an international network of offices and logistics centres, employs more than a thousand professionals and offers services covering the entire logistics chain.
The addition of the RS Atlantico reflects a much broader investment and growth strategy through which SUARDIAZ Group continues to strengthen its capabilities for the automotive sector and consolidate its position as a global logistics operator, responding to the current and future needs of its customers.
To find out more about Suardiaz Group’s investment strategy, go to: www.go.suardiaz.com/en/oncourse
This article is sponsored by Suardiaz Group.
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