JP Morgan-backed Norwegian Car Carriers (NOCC) has expanded its Chinese newbuilding programme with a further pair of 7,100 CEU pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) at CIMC Raffles, lifting its confirmed orderbook at the Yantai shipbuilder to six vessels.

What does the latest order include?

Shipbuilding sources place hulls 641 and 642 at CIMC Raffles' Yantai facility for 2030 delivery. Both extend a relationship that has already produced four LNG dual-fuel PCTCs for the Oslo-based tonnage provider.

NOCC has standardised on the 7,100 CEU design with LNG dual-fuel propulsion and ammonia-ready notation from DNV. The fuel specification gives charterers a vessel ready for tightening emissions rules on major vehicle trades.

How large could the orderbook run?

Two further 7,100 CEU units — registered as hulls 651 and 652 — sit against NOCC in shipbuilding databases for delivery in 2030 and 2031. NOCC has not disclosed them publicly. Orderbook trackers describe them as options likely attached to the latest contract.

If both convert to firm orders, the CIMC Raffles programme reaches eight hulls and NOCC controls one of the most uniform PCTC newbuild series tied to a single Chinese yard.

Where does the fleet stand today?

NOCC's own fleet list still records only the original four-ship CIMC Raffles series. Two of those are already in service: NOCC Pacific and NOCC Adriatic, with CIMC Raffles delivering the Adriatic in January. NOCC Kattegat and NOCC Skagerak are due next year.

Construction supervisor Schulte Marine Concept confirmed last month that hull 612 is the fourth and final vessel of the original four-ship package, slated for delivery in June 2027.

NOCC's operating fleet now totals five ships. As a pure tonnage provider the company charters capacity to global and regional car-carrier operators rather than running its own liner service.

The full CIMC Raffles build sequence now runs as follows:

• NOCC Pacific — delivered, in service
• NOCC Adriatic — delivered January 2025
• NOCC Kattegat — due 2026
• NOCC Skagerak — due 2026
• Hull 612 — due June 2027
• Hulls 641 and 642 — due 2030 (latest disclosed pair)
• Hulls 651 and 652 — due 2030/2031 (undisclosed options)

Why is the programme scaling now?

NOCC chief executive Olav Sollie told Splash in December that NOCC had signed for its fourth vessel shortly before the end of 2025 — preceded by an initial pair contracted in 2024 and a third unit added later that year.

For operators and forwarders booking deepsea finished-vehicle capacity, that pipeline matters. Tonnage providers like NOCC lock in multi-year charters with vehicle lines and ro-ro operators; newbuild deliveries in 2027 and 2030 translate directly into additional slots on China-Europe, China-Latin America and intra-Asia trades.

Who backs the tonnage provider?

JP Morgan Global Alternatives' Global Transportation Group has held NOCC through an investment vehicle since 2023, when the US investment house bought out former partner Klaveness Marine.

JP Morgan's continued underwriting of the build programme signals institutional conviction in the tonnage-provider model at a moment when operators and charterers are moving to lock in PCTC capacity for the next automotive export cycle.

What to watch next?

If hulls 651 and 652 convert and the Yantai slot extends, NOCC's CIMC Raffles programme could reach eight hulls before the next charter round opens in 2026.