China News Service, Guangzhou, November 27 (Reporter Guo Jun) China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) and New Zealand’s Ferry Holdings Company signed a contract in Guangzhou on the 27th for the construction of two new ro-pax ferries.
It is understood that after completion and delivery, these two ships will be mainly used for route operations in the Cook Strait. The ships are 200 meters long and 28 meters wide, can accommodate 1530 passengers, and are equipped with a 2.4-kilometer-long hybrid lane and carrying space for 40 railway wagons. The new ships adopt a hybrid power design, allowing switching between diesel power and electric drive, aiming to enhance the environmental performance of the vessels. Diesel engines (compatible with biofuels) will supply power for the main propulsion system and onboard services; they are equipped with energy storage batteries that provide supplementary power for the ships. These batteries can be charged either during navigation or via shore power, helping to save fuel and reduce the impact on the ecological environment.
It is reported that CSSC Guangzhou Shipyard International has been deeply involved in the field of ro-pax ferry construction for over twenty years. The ro-pax ferries it builds and delivers feature elegant exteriors and exquisite interiors, with noise and vibration control levels reaching world-class standards. It is currently the shipbuilding enterprise with the highest record for building and delivering ro-pax ferries globally. The ro-pax ferries it has built and delivered operate in sea areas all over the world, including the Bohai Bay, the South China Sea, the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the English Channel, among others. (End)
