China's first domestically developed large-scale dual-fuel roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) passenger ship "GNV·VIRGO" was delivered in China's southern port city of Guangzhou on Thursday, according to the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).
This cutting-edge ship can operate using either conventional fuel or cleaner liquefied natural gas (LNG) and is backed by fully independent intellectual property rights.
Spanning 12 decks, the vessel is equipped with facilities such as a self-service restaurant, café, and observation lounge. With 485 cabins, the ship can accommodate up to 1,800 passengers and over 550 vehicles, making it an ideal solution for short-distance maritime routes connecting islands and coastal cities.
Built with advanced technology, this vessel offers high added value and exceptional efficiency for the transportation of passengers and vehicles. "The onboard LNG power system has a storage capacity of approximately 1,000 cubic meters of liquefied natural gas, enabling voyages of around five days. The main challenge during construction was the precise welding and docking of pipes, which required 100 percent compliance with stringent qualification standards for operational use. Additionally, the vessel's interior fittings, which are 100 percent domestically produced, along with other domestically made equipment, serve as a key step for us to penetrate the European high-end marine equipment market," said Cao Jifei, the ship's project manager.
The ship is expected to operate on the route between Genoa and Palermo in Italy, according to the CSSC.
China's first homemade dual-fuel ro-ro passenger ship delivered in Guangzhou
