On 21st October, the inaugural “Ezhou-made” ro-ro passenger ship exported to Indonesia, measuring 109 metres, was launched. This ship represents the first of its kind developed by WTU Guangda Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in alignment with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, signifying their successful foray into the Southeast Asian shipping market.
The construction of the 109-metre ro-ro passenger ship commenced in last June. This vessel boasts a total length of 109.48 metres, a beam width of 21.6 metres, and a draft of 4.3 metres. It is able to accommodate 340 passengers and 105 vehicles, primarily catering to the transportation needs of passengers and vehicles in Indonesia’s coastal waters. The ship type offers numerous advantages compared to similar vessels, including its substantial tonnage, impressive environmental friendliness, energy efficiency, and exceptional technical performance. These features align perfectly with the global shipping industry’s focus on “safe, cost-saving, health, and environmental protection.
Li Yan, Deputy General Manager of WTU Guangda Shipbuilding, affirmed that this ship has achieved international first-class standards across various aspects, including aesthetic design, wave resistance, passenger capacity, speed, energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, and firefighting and rescue capabilities. In line with China’s national Belt and Road Initiative, the company has implemented comprehensive management of environmental and social risks throughout the ro-ro passenger ship project. They have actively encouraged the adoption of international environmental standards and guided the company to develop, construct, and operate projects according to international ecological and environmental protection principles and relevant legislation. With a little over a year, the ship has been successfully launched, further bolstering its competitiveness in the global shipbuilding industry.
WTU Guangda Shipbuilding is a prominent high-tech enterprise in ship research, development, and manufacturing in Ezhou. Their previous focus has been on fulfilling domestic orders, particularly the production of new energy and environmentally friendly ships for river and sea transportation. These projects have required advanced technical expertise. Moving forward, the company is committed to intensifying their research and innovation endeavours. They aim at achieving further breakthroughs in the high-quality development of the shipbuilding industry, aligning with the objectives the Belt and Road Initiative.
"After the ship is launched, our immediate priorities will revolve around mechanical and electrical engineering, interior finishing, and enhancing various ship systems,” stated Peng Jie, the project manager overseeing the 109-metre ro-ro passenger ship at WTU Guangda Shipbuilding. “We will diligently conduct commissioning work and sea trials for crucial components like the main engine and generators, with the goal of delivering the ship by year-end.