Grimaldi Group has expanded its logistics partnership with Leapmotor International (LPMI), the joint venture between automotive manufacturers Stellantis and Leapmotor.
The collaboration has delivered nearly 100,000 vehicles from China to Europe in the past 18 months, including more than 20,000 units to the Italian market in the Jan-Mar 2026 period.
The operation was executed through a structured program of 15 sailings over the first quarter of 2026, connecting China with multiple European ports of entry (Antwerp in Belgium, the UK’s Portbury, Valencia and Vigo in Spain, Setúbal in Portugal, and Italy’s Livorno, Civitavecchia and Gioia Tauro).
The program uses the Grimaldi Group’s fleet of Pure Car & Truck Carriers (PCTC), including the Grande Svezia, Grande Michigan, Grande Istanbul and Grande Tianjin. These vessels represent a portion of a major investment in 17 new PCTCs, each with capacity exceeding 9,000 CEU (car equivalent units), according to Grimaldi Group.
The vessels are reportedly ammonia-ready, aligning with the maritime sector’s 2050 net-zero ambitions.
Grimaldi Group’s logistics platform is said to be a key enabler of the program, which is the product of significant investment across major European ports, including key hubs in Italy.
Spanning nearly 6,000,000,000m2 of equipped port areas, they provide efficient and streamlined vehicle handling processes, including preparation, maintenance and battery charging.
“Logistics is a key differentiator and a strategic lever for competitiveness in the modern automotive sector,” said Alessandro Furnò, LPMI’s VP of global supply chain and purchasing. “Our ability to lead such a complex ecosystem – supported by a trusted partner like the Grimaldi Group – is a cornerstone of our commercial success. This partnership ensures that our logistics capabilities evolve as fast as our technology, securing our momentum in the European market.”
“We are proud to support Leapmotor International during this transformative phase of its European expansion,” said Luigi Pacella Grimaldi, automotive intercontinental director at the Grimaldi Group. “This is more than a service agreement; it is a long-term partnership built on trust and shared execution. We remain committed to providing the scalable, tailored logistics solutions necessary as LPMI’s volumes continue to reach new heights.”
In related news, DP World and Al Dahra have partnered to expand agri-logistics across the Gulf Cooperation Council
