Suardiaz launches RS Atlantico, a dual-fuel PCTC to expand automotive shipping capacity

# What happened Suardiaz Group has taken delivery of RS Atlantico, the first of a new generation of dual-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels. The ship departed China and will join Suardiaz Shipping Lines' fleet to expand capacity for maritime transport of vehicles and rolling cargo.

# Why it matters RS Atlantico increases Suardiaz's available capacity for automotive customers and multinational supply chains at a time when car exports and specialised vehicle logistics are growing. The vessel's dual-fuel engines can operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG), which the company positions as a transitional technology aligned with decarbonisation and evolving environmental rules for shipping.

# Concrete details

• Propulsion: dual-fuel engines capable of running on LNG and conventional fuel.

• Cargo scope: vehicles, machinery and High & Heavy cargo.

# How this fits Suardiaz's strategy The new PCTC is one element of a long-term investment plan in which Suardiaz Group has spent more than €360 million over six years. The programme includes fleet renewal, international expansion, development of multimodal solutions that combine maritime, road and rail transport, and investments in forwarding, industrial logistics, port services and offshore projects.

Suardiaz frames the investment as a response to changing supply-chain needs and a push to offer more integrated logistics services. CEO Juan Riva is quoted saying the company is positioning itself as an "essential player" for customers as logistics becomes more complex and control over chains becomes a fundamental asset for the global economy.

# Operational implications RS Atlantico represents the largest vessel in Suardiaz's history. The extra capacity should strengthen existing routes and give established automotive customers more lift for exports and intercontinental flows. The layout and capacity also accommodate High & Heavy loads, which expands flexibility for non-standard vehicle and machinery shipments.

Adopting LNG-capable propulsion reduces carbon intensity relative to conventional fuel in many operating profiles and aligns with regulatory shifts toward lower-emission shipping fuels. Suardiaz positions that capability as transitional—supporting short- to medium-term decarbonisation while other technologies mature.

# Market context

# Bottom line RS Atlantico adds significant, LNG-capable car-carrier lift to Suardiaz's portfolio and is a visible outcome of a multi-year, multi-pronged investment plan. The ship expands capacity for cars and heavy rolling cargo while aligning fleet capability with environmental regulation trends. A second similar vessel will follow in mid-2027, further increasing the company's specialised maritime capacity.