Guangzhou Shipyard International Co Ltd (GSI) delivered a new luxury Ro-Pax ferry — GNV Polaris — to Italian company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), a ferry operator under MSC Group, in Guangzhou's Nansha district in Guangdong province on Thursday.

The ro-ro ferry, built by GSI of the China State Shipbuilding Corp Ltd (CSSC), leaves Guangzhou on Wednesday for Europe, and is set to commence operations in Europe starting in January, serving routes across the Mediterranean.

Covering shipping and logistics businesses, MSC Group said it recognizes China as a key strategic market and has consistently expanded MSC Group's investments in China for more than two decades, said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group's passenger division.

"We are committed to long-term, sustainable development and seek to collaborate with industry peers for mutual growth," Vago said. "We look forward to achieving further milestones as we continue to expand our investment here, promoting the development of high-end, environmentally advanced vessels in line with our commitment to the Chinese market."

Zhou Xuhui, president of GSI, said GNV Polaris is one of the most advanced ro-ro passenger vessels in the world, as it is equipped with cutting-edge green technologies and equipment.

"The vessel boasts 100 percent localization of its interior materials and meets advanced international standards in speed, maneuverability and other performance metrics, showcasing the exceptional quality and capabilities of the Chinese shipbuilding industry," Zhou said.

GSI is the major shipbuilder for luxury ro-ro vessels in the world, said Zhou.

GNV Polaris is the first of four GNV Ro-Pax vessels contracted between GSI and MSC Group, and the first large-scale Ro-Pax vessel that has been fully built in China for operation in Europe, marking an important milestone for MSC Group's strategic investment in China and promoting high-quality development of China's shipbuilding and repairing industry.

The successful delivery of GSI's first Ro-Pax vessel for GNV symbolizes the expansion of MSC Group's cooperation with CSSC from traditional container vessels to the passenger ship sector. The achievement also represents a significant milestone for GSI in the design and construction of luxury Ro-Pax vessels.

The ship, which has a total of 12 decks and 298 cabins of various types, is designed to reach a speed of 25 knots, equivalent to 46.3 kilometers an hour.

The vessel has various leisure and entertainment venues available, including buffet restaurants, cafes, sightseeing halls, pizza shops, duty-free shops, aviation-style seating areas, children's play areas and open-air bars.