SUARDIAZ adds LNG-powered car carrier RS Atlantico to fleet

SUARDIAZ Group is expanding its automotive logistics network with the RS Atlantico, a 5,500-vehicle dual-fuel PCTC now sailing from China to Europe. The ship is set to strengthen the Spanish group’s car-carrier capacity and marks a notable step in its broader 360 million euro investment program.

Why it matters: - SUARDIAZ Group is scaling up its automotive shipping capacity as global vehicle logistics demand shifts toward larger, lower-emission vessels. - The RS Atlantico makes SUARDIAZ the first Spanish shipowner with an LNG-powered ship in the car-carrier segment. - The new vessel supports SUARDIAZ Shipping Lines’ role in vehicle and rolling cargo transport.

What happened: - The RS Atlantico, a dual-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carrier, departed China for Europe. - The vessel is the first of a new generation of dual-fuel PCTCs to join the SUARDIAZ fleet. - SUARDIAZ Group said the ship will enter service in the last quarter of 2026. - A second vessel from the same series is expected to join the fleet in mid-2027.

The details: - The RS Atlantico can carry about 5,500 vehicles. - The ship was designed to transport vehicles, machinery and High & Heavy cargo. - The vessel is about 190 meters long and has a gross tonnage of 55,000 GT. - The ship’s dual-fuel engines can run on liquefied natural gas, a transition fuel used to support maritime decarbonization. - SUARDIAZ said the new ship will expand capacity for long-standing automotive customers and strengthen existing routes. - The group has invested more than 360 million euros over the past six years. - That spending has covered fleet renewal, international expansion, logistics infrastructure and specialized capabilities for industrial and energy sectors. - The investment program also includes multimodal services spanning sea, road and rail transport, freight forwarding, industrial logistics, port services and offshore projects. - SUARDIAZ employs more than 1,000 professionals and operates a network of international offices and logistics centers.

Between the lines: - The RS Atlantico reflects a wider industry push to combine capacity growth with cleaner propulsion as environmental rules tighten. - SUARDIAZ is positioning itself as a broader logistics provider, not just a maritime carrier, by tying the ship investment to multimodal and industrial services. - Juan Riva, CEO of SUARDIAZ Group, said the logistics sector is undergoing a deep transformation and needs reliable partners with more sophisticated solutions.

What's next: - SUARDIAZ expects the RS Atlantico to expand its service offering once it enters the fleet in late 2026. - The company’s next fleet milestone comes with the arrival of a second new-generation vessel in mid-2027. - The broader investment plan is aimed at meeting current and future customer needs across global supply chains.

The bottom line: - SUARDIAZ is betting that larger LNG-capable car carriers will help it grow its automotive logistics business while modernizing its fleet for the next phase of shipping.