By
Rebecca Gibson |
Danish naval architecture firm OSK-ShipTech (OSK) is to design a new ro-pax ferry, which will be built by China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International Company for state-owned Algerian operator ENTMV.
OSK has already started work on the approval design for the interiors and facilities onboard the ferry, which will be able to cater for 1,800 passengers on two accommodation decks. To be staffed by 180 crew members, the 200-metre-long vessel will also have two decks that will hold more than 600 cars. The ferry will be propelled by four main engines and have a service speed of 24 knots.
The ferry will provide services between Algeria and several of Southern Europe’s large cities, such as Marseille, France and Barcelona, Spain.
This project is the latest in a series of passenger ferries that OSK and GSI have designed and built together. The two companies have also worked on cruise ferries for Moby and GNV.
“China has a strong focus on the market of ro-pax ferries and newbuilds, and we are very proud that GSI once again are choosing us as designers,” said Kristian Carøe Lind, chief technical officer at OSK. “The ENTMV-ferry is a dream project. We get to tailor the vessel completely so that it is fully optimised for the route – both with regard to design and operation, and the commercial flow and passenger experience. Hence, a project like this brings all our competences into play.”