And among the thousands of vehicles he carried, the first five were hidden. Nissan Micra 6th generation who will ever step on Greek soil. Auto Way is not just a big ship — is a marvel of shipbuilding engineering dedicated exclusively to vehicle transport. Constructed 2006, with its owner Wallenius Lines AB, is currently leased long-term in Norwegian UECC (United European Car Carriers) — the leading short sea transport provider Ro-Ro in Europe. Before joining the UECC fleet in 2024, the ship was known as Höegh Chiba of Höegh Autoliners.
His numbers speak for themselves. Auto Way has length 199,10 meters — almost two football fields one after the other — and width 32,20 metres. Its total metroton amounts to 59,705 GT. Inside it they hide 11 whole loading decks, with a total floor area touching the 52,000 square meters — more than five football fields. In this huge space, they can stack up to and 6,000 cars (CEU) — Car Equivalent Units). Access to decks is through one 150-ton stern ramp and a 15-ton side ramp, allowing even heavy equipment and work machinery to be loaded.
The role of UECC and the routes passing through Greece
UECC is not just the leaser of Auto Way — is the company that keeps a large part of the car industry moving across the continent. Every year it carries about 1.2 million vehicles, carrying out over 2,000 approaches In 24 European ports. The fleet numbers 16 ships, with a capacity of 1,060 to 4,750 CEU each — Auto Way is one of the biggest in the team.
Greece is a stable hub in the so-called North–South route, the largest commercial route operated by UECC, covering ports in Germany, Belgium, Britain, Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey. Recently, with Auto Way joining the network, ports were added to the route Cuxhaven in Germany, and Efesan in Turkey, increasing the cruising frequency to eight days A circle of four ships.
Because Ro-Ro is irreplaceable
Ro-Ro-type ships — the name comes from their mode of operation, as the vehicles are boarded and landed rolling on their ramps — They are the backbone of the global distribution of new cars. Without them, the transport of hundreds of thousands of vehicles from production plants to world markets would be practically impossible. Ro-Ro oceans reach a capacity of up to 10,000 vehicles, while European PCTC (Pure Car and Truck Carrier), such as Auto Way, are designed for the continent's medium distances, combining size and flexibility to serve even ports with sinking restrictions.
And exactly what he brought to Greece
Among the thousands of cars carrying Auto Way were all the first five. Nissan Micra 6th generation — in different colors — They are expected to premiere in Greece on 26 May, with street appearance inside summer. For the first time in its nearly 40-year history, Micra is pure electric, based on the platform AmpR Small shared with the award-winning Renault 5 E-Tech. Available in two editions: 40 kWh / 120 horsepower with autonomy ~310 km; and 52 kWh / 150 horsepower with autonomy ~400 km, both with two-way charging and heat pump as standard.
Starting price in Greece assessed between 22,000 and 23,000 euros after the grant.
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