Chinese Ferries.com

www.chineseferries.com has been created to provide information on existing and new builds for vessels designed in Australia and built in China.

 

Now celebrating over 12 years of co-operation are the chinese ferries team. At first it took over three years of working together on proposals and tenders before the team finally received the first order for three 28 metre/230 pax ferries for NWFF of Hong Kong, the “Seacat 28” design. These vessels are in operation, carrying out inter-island work cruising at 27 knots (2 knots over the contract speed). The vessels are still in excellent condition and the owners are very happy with them.

The next order was for a 33m ferry for a Shanghai client, the “Seacat 33” design which again met the owners criteria in full, so much so that after one full years successful operation they have ordered the new “Seacat 41”

The next new-build project is for 2 units of the 33 metre hull with the sleek new styling of the “Seacat 33 SZ” . These two vessels now operate between Hong Kong and Shenzhen in China.

The next order was for the 41.6 metre Seacat 400 pax high-speed catamaran features the super efficient seaspeed “deep vee” seacat hull and is a high passenger capacity commuter ferry for Shanghai waterways. Full loaded speed is over 30 knots. Recent tank testing of the new hull in the Tasmania’s AMC (Australian Maritime College) towing tank were the latest in a series of these tests carried out by Sea Speed Design and were very successful.

The next order was for the Sea Cat 36 280 pax high-speed catamaran features the super efficient seaspeed “deep vee” seacat hull and is a high passenger capacity commuter ferry for Shanghai waterways.

Chinese Ferries have been concentrating on the mid-speed, high performance and fuel economy segment of the market in the 25-35 knot speed range. They appeal to the thrifty operator with lower capital cost due to smaller engines and propulsion systems, low operating costs and low emissions whilst operating. The environmental impact being very low per passenger nautical mile.

The original agreement was signed in the boardroom of the Wang Tak building Kowloon June 10 1997 by directors Paul Birgan and Feat Szeto. Ten years later they are in the same room signing off on the new order.

All the vessels have been built in Guangzhou (Canton) China by Guangdong Hongshen Shipyard which is a joint venture between Wang Tak and a local shipyard. This shipyard has been operating for many years prior to building the first catamaran.

The standard of construction is high and to CCS (China Classification Sercity) LR (Lloyds Register) or any other international standard. The standard of the product is export quality.

If the amount of enquires for the high quality ferries are any indication, the Australian - Chinese co-operation is set to further expand in the future.