The biggest ro-ro (roll on/roll off) passenger ferry in the Qiongzhou Strait, Zijing No 16, cast off for its maiden journey from the Hai'an Port in Zhanjiang's Xuwen county, Guangdong province on May 18.

At 127.5 meters long, 20.88 meters wide and with a total tonnage of 10,669 metric tons, the vessel is also the first large-scale passenger ship to come out of Zhanjiang Port's plan to increase capacity, part of the company's targets during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).

The ferry can accommodate 874 passengers and resist winds of up to 74 kilometers per hour.

On board there is separated access for passengers and vehicles as well as a cafe, supermarket and luxury cabins.

A particular highlight of the vessel is the monitoring system for the draft on both the bow and stern, which considerably increases the safety of the vessel while sailing. Zijing No 16 is the only ro-ro passenger vessel equipped with the system in the Qiongzhou Strait.

The maiden voyage of the biggest ro-ro passenger ferry in the Qiongzhou Strait, Zijing No 16, sets off from the Hai'an Port in Zhanjiang and terminates in Haikou, Hainan province. [Photo/yinsha.com]