Guangzhou wins Swedish order

Guangzhou Shipyard International in China achieved a major breakthrough in July when Gotland Rederi AB of Sweden awarded it an order for a pair of high-speed ro-pax vessels. A total of four ships could eventually be built by the Chinese yard, raising the value of the order to around SKr2.0 billion ($234.6 million).

Although the Guangzhou yard has built roro vessels before this is the first time that it has undertaken construction of a passenger vessel. Until recently, construction of the 1,500-passenger capacity newbuildings would have been beyond the grasp of the yard, but a combination of increased technical prowess and price are understood to have persuaded the Swedish company to have the vessels built in China.

According to the customer, placing the order in China will ensure that the newbuildings are at least 10 per cent less expensive than comparable newbuildings in Europe.

The newbuildings will be 197m overall, with a 25m beam, have a vehicle carrying capacity of 1,500m, and will be capable of 28.5 knots in full load condition.