VESSEL REVIEW | Qinglu Huanghai & Qinglu Bohai – Luxury sightseeing boats for operation off Qingdao City, China

China’s AFAI Southern Shipyard has handed over two new luxury sightseeing vessels in a series to local operator the Qingdao Tourism Group.

Qinglu Huanghai (青旅黄海; “Qinglu Yellow Sea”) and Qinglu Bohai (青旅渤海) each have steel-aluminium construction, a length of 38.5 metres (126 feet), a beam of 9.8 metres (32 feet), a draught of only 1.8 metres (5.9 feet), a depth of 3.55 metres (11.6 feet), a gross tonnage of 492, and space for up to 200 passengers.

The propulsion on each vessel delivers a service speed of 11.6 knots and a range of more than 200 nautical miles with only minimal environmental impact.

Spacious onboard cabins for tours and events

The vessels’ exteriors are fitted with light strips that are to be illuminated when navigating at night, thus allowing these to be easily seen from onlookers on shore. Large glass windows provide passengers on the upper deck of each vessel with unobstructed views of the outside, though the top deck may also serve as a sightseeing platform during days of clear weather.

The interior spaces may be converted into venues for private events such as corporate activities and banquets for families and other large groups. VIP rooms are also available for use by smaller groups.

Serving the tourist trade in eastern China

Qinglu Huanghai and Qinglu Bohai are being operated primarily off the port city of Qingdao in eastern Shandong province. The vessels’ regular routes will encompass Fushan Bay and Huiquan Bay in Shandong as well as Taiping Bay in neighbouring Liaoning province.

Both vessels were built in compliance with China Classification Society rules.