The ARANOA, a luxury passenger-cargo cruise ship with a total capacity of 300 people that can accommodate 300 passengers, was formally signed over and delivered to its owner.
The vessel was independently designed and developed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), and built by Huanghai Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., also a CSSC subsidiary. Following the delivery, it will operate routes serving Tahiti and neighboring islands in the South Pacific.
A view of the passenger-cargo cruise ship ARANOA. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The vessel measures 116 meters in length, with a beam of 21 meters and a design draught of 5 meters. It has a gross tonnage of 11,200 metric tons, a service speed of 15 knots and a cruising range of 3,000 nautical miles, with a maximum cargo capacity of 48 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units.
The vessel can accommodate 197 passengers and 103 crew members. With a passenger-to-crew ratio well above the industry average, it can provide refined, customized services for guests. It has 93 premium cabins, 62 of which have private observation balconies, offering great privacy and living comfort. Most cabins are fitted with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, fully catering to high-end travelers who seek immersive getaways and unhurried voyages.
Built to five-star resort hotel standards, the vessel is equipped with a host of facilities, including two themed restaurants, an open-air performance stage, a sea-view grill restaurant, two massage pools, a distinctive themed bar, a boutique shopping center, a multi-purpose meeting space, a professional gym and an SPA & wellness center. It has four passenger elevators and well-designed barrier-free access to substantially improve travel convenience and comfort for guests. The vessel is fitted with low-emission, low-noise green power systems and other supporting equipment, effectively mitigating its operational impacts on the marine environment.
The delivery of the ARANOA demonstrates China’s technological prowess in the design and construction of high-end, specialized cruise ships. It also marks continued efforts by Chinese cruise ship designers to expand their presence in overseas high-end markets, bringing Chinese solutions to cultural and tourism development and transport of essential supplies across South Pacific islands.
(Executive editor: Zuo Shihan)
