Introduction

June 2026 saw Nantong Port embrace a historic moment—the launch of its first large-scale car ro-ro export task, with over 5,000 BYD new energy vehicles setting sail for Europe. This is not only a milestone for Chinese new energy vehicle exports but also a significant event for the international logistics industry, particularly the car ro-ro transport market.

For freight forwarding service providers, trading companies, and logistics managers, this moment at Nantong Port signals Chinese new energy vehicle exports transitioning from "small-batch trials" to "large-scale normalization." This article provides in-depth analysis of this event's profound impact on the shipping and air freight industry, transport cost optimization, and the global car ro-ro market pattern.

1. Nantong Port: A Rising Automotive Export Gateway

1.1 Port Advantages and Strategic Positioning

Located on the north bank of the Yangtze River estuary, Nantong Port is the largest deep-water port in the Jiangsu coastal region. Its combined port model with Shanghai Port provides unique geographic advantages for car ro-ro business: convenient land-based collection and distribution, efficient customs clearance, and a mature freight forwarding service ecosystem.

In 2026, Nantong Port's Phase II car ro-ro terminal expansion was completed, adding annual throughput capacity of 500,000 vehicles. As BYD, Tesla, NIO, and other OEMs have successively chosen Nantong Port as their export base, Nantong Port is becoming the third pole for Chinese automotive exports (after Shanghai Port and Guangzhou Port).

1.2 Significance of the First Large-Scale Export

This export of 5,000 BYD new energy vehicles is Nantong Port's largest single-batch car ro-ro export task to date. Vehicle models cover BYD Han, Yuan PLUS, and Seal series—all pure electric, with passenger vehicles accounting for 100%.

Close cooperation between trading companies and OEMs reflects the overall competitiveness of China's new energy vehicle industry chain. From production capacity ramp-up to logistics solution design, from customs declaration to vessel loading, efficient coordination across every link ensured this export's successful realization.

2. New Changes in the Global Car Ro-Ro Transport Market

2.1 Supply Bottleneck in Car Ro-Ro Vessels

The car ro-ro transport market faces unprecedented capacity tightness. Global car carrier (PCTC, Pure Car Truck Carrier) orders surged during 2021-2024, but new vessel delivery cycles typically require 2-3 years, leaving 2026 capacity supply still constrained.

International logistics data shows that 6,000-CEU-class ro-ro vessel charter rates have risen from $85,000/day in 2024 to $120,000/day in 2026—an increase exceeding 40%. Elevated freight forwarding rates pose higher requirements for transport cost optimization.

2.2 Special Challenges of New Energy Vehicle Exports

BYD new energy vehicle exports impose special requirements on car ro-ro transport:

- Battery safety: Maritime transport of lithium batteries must comply with IMDG Code special regulations; ro-ro vessels need corresponding safety certifications
- Deck ventilation: Electric vehicle transport requires better ventilation conditions to prevent battery thermal runaway risks
- State of charge management: Vessels need regular maintenance charging for vehicles during port stays

These special requirements increase freight forwarding service complexity and push up overall logistics costs.

3. Strategic Significance of the European Market

3.1 Attractiveness of the European New Energy Vehicle Market

Europe is the world's second-largest new energy vehicle market, with penetration rates exceeding 25% in 2025. BYD's Q1 2026 European sales grew 180% year-over-year, demonstrating strong market competitiveness.

Trading companies generally believe that Europe's high premiums and carbon emission policy support make it the preferred destination for Chinese new energy vehicle companies going global.

3.2 Logistics Route Options

The Nantong Port-to-Europe car ro-ro route primarily offers two choices:

- Via Cape of Good Hope: Fewer vessel type restrictions, but transit times extend to 35-40 days
- Via Suez Canal: Transit times of 25-30 days, but higher risks from Strait of Hormuz tensions

Logistics managers need to comprehensively weigh time, cost, and risk to select optimal routes.

4. Impact on the International Logistics Industry

4.1 Strategic Value of Ro-Ro Terminal Resources

Nantong Port's rise diversifies port options for Chinese car ro-ro exports. For freight forwarding service providers, deep cooperation with Nantong Port will become key to competing for BYD and other OEM businesses.

4.2 Innovative Practices in Multimodal Transport

This export task explored a "road-port-sea multimodal transport" model at Nantong Port. BYD's production bases in Changsha and Shenzhen concentrate vehicles via road transport to Nantong Port for export. This model imposes refined management requirements for transport cost optimization.

4.3 Digital Tracking and Customer Service

Freight forwarding service providers offered full-process digital tracking services for this export task. From vehicles leaving OEM factories to loading, sailing, and unloading, logistics managers and trading companies can track cargo status in real time. This transparent service is becoming standard for car ro-ro transport.

5. Trend Outlook: Chinese New Energy Vehicle Exports Reshaping Global Automotive Logistics

Nantong Port's first large-scale BYD new energy vehicle export to Europe is a landmark event for 2026 Chinese car ro-ro exports. It confirms Chinese new energy vehicle industry's global competitiveness while revealing the international logistics industry's innovation potential in meeting new era demands.

Over the next five years, as more new energy vehicle companies accelerate their global expansion, Chinese car ro-ro export scale will continue expanding. Transport cost optimization, deepening multimodal transport, and enhancing digital capabilities will become keys for freight forwarding service providers to win in this specialized market.

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Keywords: Nantong Port (5), BYD new energy vehicles (5), car ro-ro (6), international logistics (4), freight forwarding (4), trading companies (3), transport cost optimization (3), logistics managers (3), shipping and air freight (2), multimodal transport (2), freight rates (1)

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