Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) of China was awarded a LNG-fueled passenger/cargo ferry worth around $135m from Swedish operator Rederi AB Gotland.

To be registered as the first Swedish-flagged LNG-fueled passenger/cargo ferry, the newbuilding will be delivered in 2017 and be capable of carrying around 1,650 passengers.

The vessel will be built based on existing ‘SF1500’ design with improved fuel efficiency and eco-friendly performance through optimal hull lines.

Since 1999 when the builder signed two PCs (both delivered in 2003), ‘M/S Visby’ and ‘M/S Gotland’, with Rederi AB Gotland, GSI delivered six same type of vessels between 2006 and 2012 to the owner.

Meanwhile, the value of this LNG-fueled passenger is expected to record the highest one for a single vessel in 150-year history of the operator. The shipowner is spurring establishment of infrastructure related to the ship for LNG-fuel supply and so on.