Italian shipping company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) recently took delivery of a new large Ro-Pax ferry built by China's Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI).
GNV Aurora was designed and built by GSI in compliance with RINA class rules. She is the fourth in a series of ferries of which the 2024-built GNV Polaris is the first example.
The newbuild has an LOA of 218 metres, a beam of 29.6 metres, a design draught of 6.45 metres, a depth of 10 metres, and a gross tonnage of approximately 47,000.
There are 12 decks with 298 cabins in various classes for up to 1,500 passengers as well as a total of 3,100 lane metres for 600 cars or 200 trailers. Some of the cabins are laid out for passengers travelling with pets, though there is also a separate onboard kennel.
Power for the vessel is provided by four nine-cylinder, medium-speed diesel engines that each produce 10,350 kW. The engines drive two propellers to deliver a speed of 25 knots at 83 per cent MCR as well as a range of 3,500 nautical miles.
Onboard facilities include restaurants, duty-free shops, a snack bar, children's play areas, toilets, showers, lounges, a passenger space with airline-style seating, and an isolation ward to help prevent the spread of airborne diseases. All interior spaces are air-conditioned and have wifi connectivity.