BYD Disrupts Global Car Shipping with Massive Fleet of Giant Vessels

In 2025, as Tesla grappled with delivery issues, its biggest Chinese rival BYD took a bold step to gain a competitive edge. BYD, on track to surpass Tesla as the world's top EV seller this year, decided to build a fleet of 7 giant ships to transport its vehicles globally.

Unlike most Western automakers, which rely on traditional car carriers, BYD has cut out the middleman and taken control of its own supply chain. The company's massive vessels, some capable of carrying over 9,000 cars, have allowed it to flood key international markets like Europe and Brazil with its EVs.

Data shows BYD's fleet has been busy, with its ships making multiple voyages to Europe and Brazil in 2024 and 2025. This coincides with the company's soaring sales in these regions, where it has outpaced legacy automakers and even overtaken Tesla in Europe.

BYD's strategy is shaking up the car shipping industry, as the Chinese automaker operates a "shuttle service" between its production hubs and destination ports, often returning to China empty. This flexibility and control over its supply chain have been crucial to BYD's rapid global expansion.

While the shipping supply crunch that initially prompted BYD's fleet investment has eased, the company now faces the challenge of justifying the massive costs of running its own vessels. However, with its sights set on selling half its cars outside China by 2030, BYD appears determined to maintain its shipping advantage over the competition.