By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
Australian marine engineering and design firm Incat Crowther is to design a ro-pax ferry that will be operated by Fujian Strait Shipping Co. The 1,000-passenger vessel will sail between Pingtan Island in China and the Taiwanese cities of Taichung, Taipei and Kaohsiung.
The high-speed vessel, which will be built at AFAI Southern Shipyard, will be the largest aluminium ship built in China and will have two vehicle decks to accommodate 230 cars or 42 containers. It will also feature a passenger cabin that will be able to seat 1,000 people, in a mix of economy and business class. The ferry will offer amenities such as a duty-free store, café and mahjong room.
The vessel will be powered by four MTU 20V8000 M71L main engines, each producing 9100 kilowatts at 1,150 revolutions per minute. It will be propelled by four Rolls-Royce water jets and Caterpillar gensets will provide additional power.