VESSEL REVIEW | Luyuan No 1 & Luyuan No 2 – Ro-Ro pair to transport electric vehicles via China's Hainan Strait

Two newly delivered Ro-Ro vessels in a series have officially entered operational service with China's COSCO Shipping on the Hainan Strait between the ports of Zhanjiang Hai'an and Haikou Xiuying.

Luyuan No 1 (绿源一号) and Luyuan No 2 (绿源二号) were both designed specifically for the transport of electric vehicles. Beginning in the spring of 2025, at least 20 voyages will depart from each of the two ports every day, and additional voyages may be included depending on operational requirements.

Layout ensuring efficient loading and unloading

Each ship has a beam of 28 metres (92 feet) and a bow ramp for loading and unloading of vehicles onto a single 10-lane cargo deck. A single-deck layout was selected since it was deemed easier for drivers to handle during embarkation and disembarkation compared to a vessel with multiple decks.

COSCO Shipping said that, although slower than Ro-Pax ferries, their vehicle capacities are at least 60 per cent greater than those of the Ro-Paxes that currently operate on the same route, and the single-deck layout helps facilitate shorter loading and unloading times.

Enhanced safety features for vehicle transport

The vessels differ in length, gross tonnage and capacity, with the 125.8-metre (412.7-foot), 6,700GT Luyuan No 1 being able to transport 186 vehicles and the 129.8-metre (425.9-foot), 7,400GT Luyuan No 2 having space for 196 vehicles.

Each vessel also boasts special equipment such as firefighting monitors placed at the bow and stern. The monitors each have a range of 75 metres (250 feet) and will be used should a blaze ignite from any of the embarked vehicles. The interior passages meanwhile feature water mist suppression systems.

Construction of Luyuan No 1 and Luyuan No 2 was completed in compliance with China Classification Society rules. The vessels will be operated by Qiongzhou Strait Ferry Transportation.