Recently, China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry and Hainan Harbour & Shipping Holding Co., Ltd. held a signing ceremony in Wuhan for the “Qiongzhou Strait 1,250-Passenger Ro-Ro Ferry Project”. This marks the full implementation phase of this significant project, which serves national strategic objectives and supports the development of Hainan Free Trade Port. It also adds another major achievement to Wuchang Shipbuilding’s portfolio in the construction of high-end ro-ro ferries.
The two 1,250-passenger ro-ro ferries signed this time will be classed by China Classification Society (CCS), and are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2027. They will operate on the Haikou-Xuwen route to serve the growing passenger and cargo transportation demand across the Qiongzhou Strait.
This vessel has an overall length of 135 meters, a beam of 21 meters, a design draft of 4.35 meters and a cruising speed of 15.5 knots. Designed to accommodate over 1,000 passengers, it meets international standards for stability, firefighting and lifesaving equipment. Featuring a pod propulsion system with dual bow thrusters, it carries certifications for new energy vehicles, intelligent systems and methanol readiness. This green, eco-friendly and intelligent next-generation vessel serves as the primary transport for vehicles and passengers between inland regions and Hainan Island.
At this critical juncture for the closed operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), the implementation of this project will not only strengthen the transportation support capacity of the Qiongzhou Strait as the “optimal passenger and cargo transportation corridor” but also leverage the dual advantages of “green shipping + high-quality services” to help Hainan FTP shape an international and sustainable development image.
The Qiongzhou Strait serves as a strategic gateway for national governance in the South China Sea and is a vital logistics and passenger corridor for the Free Trade Port’s closed-border operations. As the Free Trade Port construction enters a critical phase, it places higher demands on cross-sea transportation capacity.
Wuchang Shipbuilding has successfully delivered multiple Ro-Ro ferries of the Bauhinia series to Hainan Strait Shipping over the years, earning the client’s recognition through exceptional construction quality and contractual performance. This renewed collaboration not only builds upon past achievements but also reflects the client’s profound trust in the brand strength of Wuchang Shipbuilding.
The 1,250-passenger ro-ro ferry project will become another key expansion vessel type for Wuchang Shipbuilding, following stainless steel chemical tankers and feeder container ships. Its technology is highly mature and well-matched with existing production facilities, laying a solid foundation for the company to complete its annual business development tasks and ensure its annual production capacity.