A new collaboration which may be a sign of things to come sees a project incorporating innovative European design skills alongside the physical and mechanical attributes of Chinese ship building as an integrated unit for a newly ordered Ro/Pax vessel to operate freight and passenger services carrying containers and Ro/Ro trucks out of Hainan Island in the South China Sea.
Helsingør based Knud E Hansen A/S has developed Concept and Tender Designs with CS Marine on behalf of the Bohai Shipyard in China. The ship is a conventional propulsion Ro/Ro vessel designed to transport vehicle and containers on a single cargo deck in compliance with Chinese Classification Society Rules and Chinese Flag regulations and the first vessel’s construction contract was awarded to the shipyard by the Local Government of Hainan Province.
The cargo capacity comprises of approximately about 350 lane meters for cars and trucks, about 1200 tonnes of containers or a combination of the above on the car deck, while a large extra capacity for fresh water and heavy fuel oil has been created to allow the vessel to supply some of the region’s minor islands. Cargo will be loaded via a quarter ramp situated on the starboard side and the vessel will able to operate in multiple modes as a regular ferry service or as a long term cruiser with a 30 day duration.
The owner was very keen to give a distinctive look to the vessel and several configurations of superstructures where developed with particular focus on the distinctive funnel and particular attention has been paid to the comfort of the vessel which is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 19 knots in normal sea conditions whilst the ship’s communal areas include such luxuries as library and conference rooms, a dedicated VIP dining area, a cinema, internet café and 200 seat cafeteria and, somewhat incongruously to many European eyes, a cigar bar.
Source: Handy Shipping Guide
