OSK-Shiptech Designs World’s Largest Ferry Order To Date

MSC Group and Onorato Armatori have signed a historical contract with Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) for the order of four luxurious RoPax ferries. OSK-ShipTech is behind the concept design for the largest ferry order ever.

Danish naval architects OSK-ShipTech have drawn their way into history with the concept design for the four luxury ferries constituting the world’s largest ferry order to this day. A few days ago, the contract was signed at a ceremony in Beijing. MSC Group and Onorato Armatori are behind the joint commissioning of the four RoPax ferries to be built at Chinese shipyard Guangzhou Shipyard International.

Image Credit: osk-shiptech.com

It is the long-standing cooperation between both OSK, yard and owners, which results in this project. “Our two largest clients are now doing business together, so to us, this is a dream-scenario, where we are appointed designers on the basis of earlier projects and long-term successful cooperation with all parties. This is such a significant project, and this order is a fantastic opportunity to bring our competencies, the yard’s strength and the owners’ joint pool of many years’ of experience into play,” says CCO of OSK Group, Anders Ørgård.

The RoPax-ferries will each have a capacity of 3,765 lane meters and 536 cabins with room for 2,500 passengers in total. The accommodation will have a modern, clean look and will be designed based on passenger needs and spaciousness. Technologically, the ferries will be LNG-ready and fitted with the latest technologies for energy optimisation.

Italian operator GNV under MSC Group will take two ferries, and the other two will be delivered to Italian operator Onorato Armatori. The contract includes an option for four additional ferries of the same type. In any case, this a record ferry order – and a quantum leap for the joint cooperation between GSI and OSK.

“Both in Danish standards, but on a global scale as well, this is in any possible way a significant order in the current RoPax market. The fact that OSK-ShipTech is on board a contract of this size is something we are very proud of and goes to show that we are now amongst the few designers globally who are relevant when it comes to the world’s largest design projects,” says Jacob Thygesen, CEO of OSK Group.

The first of the four ferries is scheduled for delivery to GNV in 2021.

Reference: osk-shiptech.com