South Korea's PanStar Group has commenced operational sailings of a new luxury cruise ferry, which the company said is the first vessel of its kind to be built in the country.
PanStar Miracle was built by Daesun Shipbuilding and Engineering. For its inaugural voyage, the ferry departed Busan Port International Passenger Terminal on the afternoon (local time) of Sunday, April 13, and set sail for Osaka, Japan.
The ferry will operate round trip between Busan and Osaka three times a week. On weekends, it will be used for a one-night cruise off the coast of Busan where guests can enjoy various performances and fireworks shows against the backdrop of the coastal scenery and the nighttime view of the Gwangan Bridge.
Future sailings of the ferry will include other international routes to China and Taiwan.
PanStar Miracle has a length of 170 metres, a displacement of 22,000 tonnes, and a capacity of 353 passengers. It may also be used in a secondary freight transport role with deck space for up to 250 TEUs.
Amenities include dining areas, cafes, fitness rooms, outdoor pools, jogging tracks, game rooms, VIP lounges, convenience stores, duty-free shops, and children's play areas. One of the outdoor pools features temperature control to permit use even during winter.