Norwegian ferry builder Brødrene Aa, Hyen announced the signing of a new contract for three new high speed carbon fiber catamaran ferries for Chinese Zhongshan-Hong Kong Passenger Shipping Co-op Co., Ltd (ZS), that will be operating the ferries between Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China.
Construction of the vessels will begin at the shipyard in Hyen in November 2017 and will be all completed and delivered in Hong Kong by June 2019.
Two of the vessels in the contract will be 42 meters in length with a capacity of 300 passengers and have maximum operating speed of 40 knots. The third vessel will be 42 meters as well, but with a capacity for 230 passengers and a max operating speed of 37 knots. All vessels will be fuel-efficient ro achieve lower emissions and reduced operating expenditures, the company claims.
“With vessels operating long hours at speeds of 40 knots you really capitalize on the benefits of carbon fiber constructions. Lighter vessels render lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions,” said CEO Tor Øyvin Aa.
In 2015, Chinese Chu Kong Shipping made an equity investment in Brødrene Aa. In this partnership one objective was to establish a joint composite manufacturing facility in China as well as providing market opportunities for completed vessel from Brødrene Aa’s yard in Norway.
