On September 15, a contract for the construction of a 105-meter high-end Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) cargo vessel—with an option for a second—for the French company Compagnie Maritime Nantaise officially came into effect. The project was undertaken jointly by CSSC-affiliated Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI). According to the shipowner, the shipbuilding contract was signed on August 21, 2026; while the contract price has not been disclosed, the first vessel is scheduled for delivery and entry into service in 2030.
This series of vessels measures 105 meters in length and integrates cutting-edge technologies—such as wind-assisted propulsion, hybrid propulsion, and digital twin systems—to achieve highly intelligent navigation control. The vessels comply with EEDI Phase III energy efficiency standards and DNV class notation requirements for biofuel, while also incorporating reserved space for green fuel systems, thereby combining energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, and high operational performance.
This series of vessels represents a core ship type built by GSI; they are steel-hulled Ro-Ro vessels featuring wind-assisted hybrid propulsion and are capable of unrestricted global navigation (excluding polar regions). The vessels will primarily operate on the route between the Kourou River and the Port of Pariacabo in French Guiana. Specifically designed for the transport of high-precision equipment, they can safely carry advanced aerospace hardware such as rockets, satellites, Osprey transport aircraft, and helicopters, while meeting world-class standards for technical performance, environmental sustainability, and operational reliability.
Notably, this project represents the first high-end, premium export order secured for its brand-new shipbuilding base at Xiaohu Island; it marks a significant breakthrough in unlocking the new base’s production capacity and driving its transformation toward higher quality, while also serving as a major achievement in GSI’s strategic positioning within the global high-end shipbuilding market.
GSI stated that the successful implementation of this project will fully support the execution of the strategic plan for the Xiaohu Island production base, maximizing the utilization of the facility’s production capacity, resources, and locational advantages.