Guangzhou Shipyard International, a subsidy of State-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp, delivers a new luxury ro-ro passenger ship to its owner, Italian company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), in the Guangdong provincial capital on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A new dual-fuel luxury ro-ro passenger vessel, named GNV·VIRGO, was delivered after a naming ceremony held in Guangzhou's Nansha district, Guangdong province, on Thursday.
This modern, green and luxurious dual-fuel ro-ro passenger vessel was built by Guangzhou Shipyard International, a subsidy of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, and tailored for Italian company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), a ferry operator under MSC Group.
Guangzhou Shipyard International, a subsidy of State-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp, delivers a new luxury ro-ro passenger ship to its owner, Italian company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), in the Guangdong provincial capital on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
It is the first vessel independently developed and designed by China.
"The vessel boasts 100 percent localization and meets advanced international standards, showcasing the exceptional quality and capabilities of the Chinese shipbuilding industry," said Li Huilun, a senior executive with GSI, adding that it is equipped with cutting-edge green technologies and equipment.
GNV·VIRGO is the third of four Ro-Pax vessels built for GNV by GSI.
Guangzhou Shipyard International, a subsidy of State-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp, delivers a new luxury ro-ro passenger ship to its owner, Italian company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), in the Guangdong provincial capital on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The first, GNV·POLARIS, which was delivered in October 2024, now operates in Europe, serving routes across the Mediterranean, while the second vessel, GNV·ORION, was delivered in April this year.
GNV·VIRGO has been further optimized and upgraded, increasing passenger cabins from 298 to 485, and raising passenger capacity from 1,500 to 1,800, said Li.
Guangzhou Shipyard International, a subsidy of State-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp, delivers a new luxury ro-ro passenger ship to its owner, Italian company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), in the Guangdong provincial capital on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Meanwhile, without changing the hull form, GNV·VIRGO has also upgraded its LNG dual-fuel propulsion system, making the ship more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, he added.
Guangzhou Shipyard International, a subsidy of State-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp, delivers a new luxury ro-ro passenger ship to its owner, Italian company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), in the Guangdong provincial capital on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The new vessel, with a deadweight tonnage of 52,900 metric tons and a carrying capacity of 8,000 metric tons, has an overall length of 218 meters, a molded breadth of 29.6 meters and a molded depth of 10 meters.
It is designed to reach a draft of 6.45 meters and a speed of 25 knots (46.3 kilometers per hour).
Guangzhou Shipyard International, a subsidy of State-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp, delivers a new luxury ro-ro passenger ship to its owner, Italian company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), in the Guangdong provincial capital on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
GNV·VIRGO includes a total of 12 decks and features various leisure and entertainment venues including buffets, cafes, sightseeing halls, pizza shops, duty-free shops, aviation-style seating areas, children's play areas and open-air bars.
The vessel is also equipped with seven elevators to enable efficient movement and can accommodate more than 550 cars or 150 40-foot container trailers with its 2,800-meter lane.
