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Deltamarin Group has announced that it has been awarded a project to deliver a comprehensive engineering, procurement, construction and management (EPCM) package for Stena's gas-ready ro-pax ferry newbuilds, to be built at AVIC Weihai Shipyard in China.

The contract, which is subject to board approval, was signed by Stena RoRo, a subsidiary of the Swedish ship owner Stena AB, and AVIC International Ship Development (China) Co. Ltd. for four vessels, and an option for another four.

Deltamarin is to work on the project not only as a designer but also as a provider of comprehensive project management services to support AVIC SHIP and AVIC Weihai Shipyard in the vessel construction.

The agreed engineering package includes approval design, support in procurement handling and detail design. Deltamarin Floating Construction will carry out the construction management in close co-operation with AVIC, and supplement the construction team. The project management services also include master planning, procurement of the project materials and material management, project information management and site supervision.

Deltamarin previously developed the concept of the vessel in close collaboration with Stena. It is designed for Stena Line's North European routes and is said to comply with the latest rules and regulations for safety and environment. In the design, special attention has been paid to the vessels' fuel efficiency as well as maximising the cargo space.

The vessels will have a capacity of more than 3,000 lane meters in a drive-through configuration. They will also accommodate around 1,000 passengers. The main engines will be 'gas ready', prepared to be fuelled by either methanol or liquefied natural gas (LNG).

"We are proud to be involved in this high-performance next-generation ro-pax ferry construction in China. This will be the first time we combine the wide passenger vessel experience of Deltamarin Group with the best cost construction to satisfy the desires of a premium internationally operating shipowner," commented Deltamarin's managing director Mika Laurilehto.