On June 9, Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co.,Ltd (“WS”) an affiliate of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) successfully kicked off construction of the first of two 1,250-passenger ro-ro vessels for Hainan Port & Shipping Holding Co., Ltd., designed to operate in the Qiongzhou Strait.
The project involves the construction of two 1,250-passenger ro-ro vessels. Designed by the Shanghai Ship Research and Design Institute (SDARI), the vessels are fully classified by the China Classification Society (CCS) and will be deployed on the key Haikou–Xuwen route to handle the transport of passengers and vehicles between Guangdong and Hainan.
The vessel has an overall length of 135 meters, a beam of 21 meters, a draft of 6.6 meters, a design draft of 4.35 meters, and a design speed of 15.5 knots.
It features a steel hull, a raked stem, a bulbous bow, and a square stern. The vessel employs a pod propulsion system combined with twin bow thrusters and incorporates provisions for new energy and smart vessel systems, as well as provisions for methanol propulsion. Its stability, fire safety, and lifesaving standards meet international standards for seagoing vessels, and its overall performance significantly outperforms traditional ship designs.
Compared to the existing conventional ro-ro ferries operating in the Qiongzhou Strait, the new vessel represents a comprehensive upgrade in four key areas: smart technology, carrying capacity, environmental sustainability, and safety and comfort.