CIMC Raffles has held the naming ceremony for the NOCC Pacific — a 7,000 CEU LNG dual-fuel pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) that is claimed to be the world's first vessel to comply with new electric vehicle safety standards set to become mandatory from January 2026.

The naming ceremony took place on November 14 at the Chinese shipbuilder's Longkou base in northern China.

The NOCC Pacific, which is the first PCTC that CIMC Raffles has built for Norwegian Car Carriers (NOCC), is equipped with two Type C LNG storage tanks and dual-fuel main and auxiliary engines, enabling zero emissions during port operations, according to the shipbuilder. It has an overall length of 199.9 metres, a breadth of 38 metres, a design draft of 8.6 metres, and a design speed of 19 knots.

The vessel's design is said to incorporate compliance with DNV's 'F(EV)' (Electric Vehicle) notation, making it the world's first PCTC to meet this new standard. The notation is a specific class qualifier designed to address the additional fire protection requirements for cargo areas on ships — particularly car carriers — that transport electric vehicles (EVs).

The NOCC Pacific has also received DNV's 'Ammonia-ready' notation, preparing it for the use of lower-carbon fuels in the future.

During construction, CIMC Raffles notes that it implemented a "Deck Block Pre-shaping Prior to Side Shell Block Integration" method for the first time, which is said to have reduced hull plate deformation by over 15%.

Wang Jianzhong, CEO and president of CIMC Raffles, stated at the ceremony: "NOCC is an outstanding shipowner with a long history and forward-looking vision, and the two parties currently have several collaborative projects."

Olav Sollie, CEO of NOCC, commented: "This vessel represents the most cutting-edge technology today, marking another solid step forward for global shipping in enhancing energy efficiency and reducing environmental footprint."

The NOCC Pacific is the 15th PCTC delivered by CIMC Raffles and the seventh PCTC to be delivered from the Longkou base in 2025.

NOCC has ordered a total of three 7,000 CEU LNG dual-fuel, ammonia-ready PCTCs from CIMC Raffles, with the first vessel expected to be delivered in November 2025. The second vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2026 and the third in 2027.