On October 24th, the MSC/GNV1500, a luxurious ferry named “GNV Polaris,” was officially launched and delivered in Nansha, Guangzhou. This vessel marks China’s first domestically developed large-scale ro-ro passenger ship aimed at the export market.

The GNV Polaris was meticulously crafted by Guangzhou Shipbuilding International, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, for the world-renowned transport and logistics company MSC, and specifically for its ferry operating arm, Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV). This modern and eco-friendly ferry boasts fully independent intellectual property rights, with its interior materials completely sourced from China. Additionally, it has become the first ferry in China to receive the biosafe biological safety notation and the first to use organic silicone anti-fouling paint.

After its delivery, the GNV Polaris will commence operations in Europe starting January 2025, servicing routes across the Mediterranean region.

Spanning 218 meters in length, 29.6 meters in width, and a depth of 10 meters, the ferry has a design draft of 6.45 meters and a gross tonnage of approximately 46,000 tons, with a carrying capacity of 8,010 tons. It is designed to cruise at a speed of 25 knots. The vessel features 12 decks and includes 298 various guest cabins. Public areas for passenger enjoyment cover 6,000 square meters, offering a range of amenities including a buffet restaurant, café, observation lounge, pizzeria, duty-free shop, airline seating area, children’s play area, and an outdoor bar. The onboard vehicle lanes measure around 3,100 meters, allowing it to carry more than 600 cars or 200 40-foot standard container trailers.

Comfort on board is paramount, with vibration and noise levels being crucial indicators for passenger satisfaction. The GNV Polaris adheres to the comfort standards set by the Italian classification society, COMF-VIB-B and COMF-NOISE-B. While cruising at full speed, noise levels in passenger accommodations remain below 55 decibels, and below 60 decibels in public spaces. The ship is also equipped with dedicated isolation wards and quarantine areas, with specially designed air conditioning and ventilation to ensure comprehensive bio-safety measures are in place.

Guangzhou Shipbuilding International has established itself as a leader in luxury ferry deliveries, with operational routes spanning major maritime regions worldwide. MSC has been active in the Chinese market since 1998, investing over 14 billion euros in the past six years, seeing significant advancements across its cruise, passenger, and container segments. Since 2015, MSC has invested in the construction of large container ships exceeding 500,000 TEUs and plans to continue its investment strategy in the future.