[ 35 ] in 2018. The naval architecture consultancy has been instrumental in the concept design of most ro-pax ferries built by GSI during the last decade. The joint-venture, in which GSI holds a 51 per cent stake, primarily focuses on R&D as well as basic and detailed design of passenger ships and ro-pax ferries. In 2021, GSI launched a thin plate production line specifically aimed at ro-pax ferry block production. The yard controls the full production line, all the way from steel cutting to block production and block assembly. It also invested in a cabin assembly plant, a critical facility in passenger ship construction. Celebrating 20 years of building ro-pax ferries for international customers, GSI has delivered over 20 ro-pax ferries to both international and domestic operators, making it the most prolific builder of large ro-pax tonnage. Building on its success, more ro-pax ferry projects are in the pipeline as GSI is committed to become a first-class shipbuilder, offering cutting-edge technologies and a service that is second to none. THE WORLD’S LARGEST DOUBLE-ENDERS The delivery of P&O Pioneer, followed by sister ship P&O Liberté, represents a milestone in the history of GSI. Not only are the vessels the world’s largest double-enders ever built, they also have the lowest possible emissions footprint for ferries of this size. The diesel-battery hybrid propulsion system sees P&O Ferries introducing battery technology on the English Channel. SHIPBUILDING There are a total of 1,160 batteries with a 8.8MWh capacity, guaranteeing zero emissions while manoeuvring in port and at berth. The four Azipods with a rating of 7,500 kW each are yet another industry first, further enhancing manoeuvrability and eliminating the use of rudders. The vessels were delivered just over three years after contract signing, which is quite an achievement considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the following Russia–Ukraine conflict. The ships’ extensive and complex IT systems as well as 9,800m² of indoor and outdoor space make the vessels stand out in every respect. The outfitting of the ship is reminiscent of a big jigsaw puzzle with thousands of pieces ready for assembly. Even so, the end result is stunning with P&O Pioneer and P&O Liberté being fitted out to the highest standards. MOST PROLIFIC BUILDER OF ROPAX TONNAGE BUT AIMING HIGHER GSI is the largest and strongest shipbuilding and repair yard in southern China with a capability to design, build and repair vessels with a deadweight of up to 400,000 tons. The yard’s annual shipbuilding capacity reaches 3.5 million deadweight tons. The yard employs over 6,000 people, 1,200 of whom are R&D and design engineers. The world’s number one builder of complex ro-pax ferries, GSI sees this niche product as a steppingstone to cruise ship building. Building highstandard passenger ships requires experience and is way more difficult than building long series of bulk carriers or any other type of rather simple cargo ships. Only very few shipyards in China have the capability to build cruise ships but GSI is determined to be one of them.
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