Guangzhou Shipyard International, a subsidiary of State-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp, inked a contract with New Zealand's Ferry Holdings for the construction of two Ro-Ro passenger vessels for the latter on Thursday in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

The vessels measure 200 meters long and 28 meters wide, with a passenger capacity of 1,530. They are equipped with 2.4 kilometers of mixed-use car lanes and dedicated space for 40 railway freight cars.

Their hybrid power system is designed to switch between diesel and electric propulsion, according to a statement released by GSI on Thursday.

The diesel engines, which are compatible with bio-fuels, will supply power for the main propulsion system and onboard services, the statement said. Additionally, an energy storage battery system is installed to provide supplementary power, and these batteries can be recharged either during voyages or via shore power, contributing to fuel savings and reduced ecological impact.

Upon delivery in 2029, the two ro-pax ferries will operate on routes across the Cook Strait, it said.

Located on Longxue Island at the mouth of the Pearl River, GSI, a Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed company, is one of the major shipbuilding bases in the country.