Mediterranean route welcomes luxurious passenger ferry built in Nansha

On Oct 24, Guangzhou Shipyard International, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, delivered the GNV Polaris to Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), a ferry operator under the MSC Mediterranean Shipping Group, at Nansha.

GNV Polaris. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_nanshafabu]

This marks China's first domestically developed and constructed large-scale export passenger ferry, boasting complete independent intellectual property rights and utilizing 100 percent domestically sourced interior materials. It is also the first newly built luxury passenger ferry to feature anti-fouling organic silicon paint. It is set to start operation in Europe in January 2025, with routes covering the Mediterranean region.

The luxurious passenger ferry spans 218 meters, encompassing 12 decks, 298 cabins, and a total public area of 6,000 square meters. Onboard amenities include buffet restaurants, cafes, observation lounges, pizza parlors, duty-free shops, and children's play areas.

The vessel meets COMF-VIB-B and COMF-NOISE-B comfort requirements for vibration and noise and is equipped with complete isolation wards and quarantine areas that meet the latest biosecurity standards. Environmental features include controls for sulfide emissions and steam turbine generators to ensure a high energy efficiency index.

The MSC Mediterranean Shipping Group has invested over 14 billion euros ($15.16 billion) in China, with plans to further expand investment to support the high-quality development of the Chinese shipbuilding industry.