(Yicai) June 17 -- Anji Soundness, the world's biggest methanol-ready cargo ship built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard, capable of carrying up to 9,500 cars that can fill 20 standard football fields, has embarked on its first voyage to Europe.

Also known as the Green Vessel, the ship departed from the Taicang Port in Suzhou, eastern Jiangsu province, yesterday. It will load Chinese passenger cars and construction machinery at three major domestic ports in Shanghai, Lianyungang, and Yantai.

Anji Soundness' maiden journey will take it to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, covering a total distance of around 16,000 nautical miles in about 40 days.

Measuring 228 meters in length and nearly 38 meters in width, the vessel's main highlight is its methanol-ready design, which allows it to use methanol as fuel. This offers significant environmental advantages and development potential and can result in substantial carbon reductions throughout its entire lifecycle.

Anji Soundness is equipped with main and auxiliary engines and a boiler fitted with an exhaust gas cleaning system, ensuring compliance with the International Maritime Organization's Tier III emission standards.

In addition, the ship has an intelligent system with a "super brain" that enables unified data collection from over 1,300 monitoring points throughout the vessel, achieving integrated online management of energy efficiency operations through big data analysis and shore-based sharing.

Aerial view of Anji Soundness at the Taicang Port.

A car enters the vessel via a large ramp.

The vehicles are neatly arranged and secured with four straps in the cargo hold. Each strap can support 2.5 tons, providing a firm and stable hold that can withstand swaying from large waves at sea.

Two crew members complete final handover tasks before the ship sets sail.

Editor: Martin Kadiev