China: Afai Southern Launches New Ferry

On 9 Dec, 2011 Morning, Afai Southern new-built ferry ASA028 -Xun Long 5 was launched successfully. The leaders from China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone and Shenzhen Xunlong Shipping, CCS representativses, and Afai Southern’s Deputy Chairman Mr. Sun Dongsheng attended the launching ceremony.

Xun Long 5 is the first one of Afai Southern’s two aluminium catamaran fast ferries for Shenzhen Xunlong Shipping Ltd. These coastal short range fast ferries, with the overall length of 34m, mld.breadth of 8.5m, carrying capacity of 188 passengers, will sail mainly in the sea area around Pearl River mouth, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Hong Kong，Macau, as well as nearby sea of Daya Bay and Dapeng Bay. The structure and stability of these ferries are designed according to the requirements of greater coastal navigation area. They can resist wind of Beaufort Scale 7 and wave of 4m height.

By adopting advanced design from Australia and propelled by twin propulsion engines and waterjets, these ferries have fine performance of sea keeping, high speed and manouverability.

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World Maritime News Staff, December 12, 2011; Image: Afai Southern