Xiamen firm to build World's largest LNG-fueled ro-ro ships

Two liquefied natural gas-fueled ro-ro (roll-on roll-off) ships, the largest of their kind in the world, are to be built by Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co, Xiamen Daily reported on March 11.

Each ship is to be 199.9 meters long, 38 meters wide and 14.8 meters high with a designed draft of 8.65 meters, according to the shipbuilding company.

Thirteen layers of automobile decks are offered in the ship, nine of which are fixed while the rest are removable. There is a total of 7,500 parking spaces.

Fueld by liquefied natural gas stored in two huge LNG tanks in the cargo area, the ro-ro ships are environmentally friendly and represent the design trend of future ro-ro ships.

Compared with similar ships in the market, they also boast lower power consumption.

The ships use many innovative technologies, such as an energy-conserving design of rudder bulbs, twisted rudders and low resistance coating for shell plating to improve speed and a hybrid engine to satisfy strict emission requirements.

The ships have already passed the LNG risk assessment.

They are being built for Siem Car Carriers, a leading global automobile transporters, and roll on roll off and bulk cargo carriers. The first of the two ships to be constructed will be rented out to Volkswagen Group after its projected delivery in the first quarter of 2019.