The Chinese are upgrading

Why BYD is now also entering the shipping industry

The BYD Explorer 1 is the first ship in a fleet that is set to grow to eight.(Bild: AFP or licensors)

Born as a battery manufacturer, the BYD Group recently overtook US pioneer Tesla as the world's largest electric car manufacturer, and global expansion is in full swing - including in Europe and Austria. With a great deal of battery expertise and numerous suppliers in their own hands, the Chinese are able to offer electric cars at competitive prices. However, the latest business area is not the roads, but the oceans of this world.

Its port of destination is Vlissingen in the Netherlands and it is also due to dock in Bremerhaven: The BYD Explorer No. 1 is currently sailing north to Europe off the west coast of Africa, far away from the dangers of the Red Sea. The freighter, which sails under the Liberian flag and was built in a Chinese shipyard, is the first ship in a planned fleet that will eventually comprise eight ocean liners. For BYD, it is a bet that the Chinese car industry can conquer the world like the Japanese once did. And BYD is not the only Chinese car manufacturer upgrading. An analysis.