The China Shipbuilding Group, through its subsidiary 605 Research Institute, has handed over a new electric sightseeing vessel to local tour company Guangzhou Public Transport Group Passenger Ferry.
Zhuangyuanfang (状元舫) will be operated on the segment of the Pearl River that passes through the city of Guangzhou. She will be used mainly on nighttime voyages.
The newbuild has a length of 40 metres, a battery-only propulsion system, azimuthing thrusters for enhanced manoeuvrability, space for 360 passengers across enclosed main and upper decks, an energy management system, and panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows.
The vessel also has systems for intelligent navigation monitoring, vibration damping for enhanced comfort, and precise berthing to ensure faster turnarounds.
The interiors have been laid out to mimic the appearance of a traditional Chinese lecture hall while the open-air top deck also serves as a viewing area providing 360 degrees of visibility
According to Chinese local media, the vessel's design incorporates architectural elements reminiscent of the so-called Lingnan region, which encompasses Hong Kong, Macau, the Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Hainan, and northern Vietnam.
