DALIAN, Liaoning - A Chinese firm delivered a giant carrier ship designed for livestock to a Singaporean buyer on Wednesday.

The ship is the largest of its kind to be produced in China. Built by COSCO Shipyard and delivered by its subsidiary in the northeastern coastal city of Dalian, the vessel is 189.5 meters long with a floor space of 23,500 square meters, enough for 17,000 live cattle at a time.

Worldwide, there is strong demand for livestock shipping vessels. Many vessels used for cattle are converted container ships, but the COSCO ship is equipped with automated water piping, forage feeding systems and other facilities to ensure the livestock arrive in good condition.

China signed a deal with Australia in 2014 to import 1 million head of Australian cattle per year. This alone requires 20 ships with a capacity of 5,000 livestock each.

COSCO Shipyard rolled its first livestock carrier, ordered by a Dutch firm, off production lines in 2013. Its subsidiary has received seven orders for such carriers.