On February 26, China Merchants Jingling Shipyard (Weihai) Co. Ltd. CMJL (Weihai) kicked off the construction of the first dual-fuel high-end luxury ro-pax vessel for France’s container shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM Group.
This ro-pax vessel is 180 meters in length, 30.8 meters in width, with a designed draft of 7.0 meters and a speed of 21.6 knots. It can carry 932 passengers and 68 crew members. It is equipped with four generators, two bow thrusters, two 450 cubic meter LNG storage tanks and a 13-megawatt large-capacity battery pack.
The vessel is equipped with a dual-fuel propulsion system utilizing MGO and LNG, integrated with battery propulsion and shore power systems. Additionally, it features pod propulsion units that replace traditional shaft and rudder systems, effectively freeing up cabin space. The gearless electric drive reduces energy losses associated with mechanical transmission, while the externally mounted pods minimize noise interference.
These advancements significantly meet the core demands of next-generation high-end ro-pax vessels for environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness, safety, and flexibility. Upon delivery, the vessel will operate between the port of Marseille, France, and various ports in Corsica.