New luxury ocean liner will head to Baltic soon

A new luxury passenger ship built by Guangzhou Shipyard International Co for Denmark's Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab will leave Guangzhou for Europe within the week.

The vessel, which was delivered on Thursday is expected to operate between ports along the Baltic Sea in Europe.

"I am happy to take over the ship, and I hope it will soon enter service," said Steen Haurum, a DFDS representative at Guangzhou Shipyard.

Zhou Xuhui, vice-president and senior engineer of Guangzhou Shipyard, said the vessel incorporates new-energy systems and emission-reducing green technologies.

More than 90 percent of the interior materials were made domestically, he said.

"The high standard and environmentally friendly Ropax vessel demonstrates China's shipbuilding strength and technology," Zhou told media on Tuesday.

At 230 meters long and 31 meters wide, the vessel can be configured with 312 rooms. It can house 600 passengers, supported by a crew of 62.

The vessel is equipped with bars, restaurants and various entertainment facilities. It is the first of a pair of luxury vessels built by Guangzhou Shipyard for DFDS. Construction of another vessel has been basically completed and will be delivered for use soon.

Meanwhile, Guangzhou Shipyard, or GSI, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, is also building two other luxury vessels for Italy's Moby company and another for Britain's P&O Ferries.