SUARDIAZ adds dual-fuel car carrier RS Atlantico to expand automotive logistics capacity

SUARDIAZ Group is adding the RS Atlantico, a 5,500-car dual-fuel PCTC, to its fleet after the vessel departed China for Europe. The move supports a more than 360 million euro investment program and makes SUARDIAZ the first Spanish shipping company with a car carrier powered by LNG.

Why it matters: - SUARDIAZ Group is adding more vehicle capacity at a time when international supply chains are under pressure to move cars, machinery and other rolling cargo more efficiently. - The RS Atlantico strengthens SUARDIAZ Shipping Lines in automotive transport and supports the company's broader push to expand as a global logistics operator. - The vessel also marks a milestone for the Spanish market because SUARDIAZ becomes the first Spanish shipowner with a car carrier powered by liquefied natural gas.

What happened: - SUARDIAZ Group said the RS Atlantico departed China for Europe as the first of two new dual-fuel PCTC vessels joining its fleet. - The ship can carry about 5,500 cars. - The vessel is scheduled to arrive in the last quarter of 2026. - A second ship is expected to enter the fleet in mid-2027.

The details: - The RS Atlantico is one of the largest ships in SUARDIAZ's history. - The vessel is designed to transport vehicles, machinery and High & Heavy cargo. - The ship measures about 190 meters in length and has a gross tonnage of 55,000 GT. - The RS Atlantico uses dual-fuel engines that can run on LNG. - SUARDIAZ views LNG as a transition technology aligned with decarbonization in international shipping and with changing environmental rules. - The investment is part of a long-term plan to expand the group's capabilities, strengthen its position as a global logistics operator and respond to changing international supply-chain needs. - Over the last six years, SUARDIAZ Group has invested more than 360 million euros in fleet renewal, international expansion, logistics infrastructure and specialized capabilities for industrial and energy sectors. - The broader program also includes multimodal solutions that combine sea, road and rail transport, forwarding, industrial logistics, port services and offshore projects. - SUARDIAZ has more than seven decades of experience and operates an international network of offices and logistics centers. - The group employs more than 1,000 professionals and provides services across the full logistics chain. - SeaClear Communications listed Sophie Foyle and Sabina Mollart-Rogerson as contacts for more information or interview requests. - Their email addresses are sophie@seaclearcommunications.com and sabina@seaclearcommunications.com.

Between the lines: - The RS Atlantico adds scale, but the strategic signal is broader: SUARDIAZ is pairing fleet growth with lower-emission propulsion and multimodal logistics. - The company's LNG bet positions it to serve automotive customers while adjusting to tighter environmental expectations across maritime transport. - The €360 million program suggests SUARDIAZ is trying to build end-to-end logistics control rather than compete only on ship capacity.

What's next: - SUARDIAZ expects the RS Atlantico to join the fleet in late 2026. - The second dual-fuel vessel should follow in mid-2027. - Further gains will likely come from the company's ongoing fleet renewal and expansion across logistics infrastructure and multimodal services.

The bottom line: - SUARDIAZ is using the RS Atlantico to grow its automotive shipping business, deepen its logistics network and move toward cleaner vessel technology at the same time.