Zhou Du 20, a ro-ro ship designed for the transport of hazardous chemical substances, is launched at a shipyard in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat Account of Zhoushan Communications Investment Group]

A ro-ro ship designed for the transport of hazardous chemical substances was recently launched at a shipyard in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province.

Zhou Du 20, built by Zhoushan Strait Ferry Group, a subsidiary of the Zhoushan Communications Investment Group, is the company's first ro-ro ship. She began construction last May and will be put into operation in July. 

The ship, which carries a price tag of 23 million yuan ($3.33 million), is 65.3 meters long, 15 meters wide and 4.9 meters deep, with a draught of 3.5 meters. She is used mainly for the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The ferry line between Baifeng Dock in Ningbo and Yadanshan Dock in Zhoushan is the only available channel for LNG to enter and exit Zhoushan. Launched by Zhoushan Strait Ferry Group last August, the line handles around 324 LNG vessels every month, transporting an average of 1,000 metric tons of LNG every day.

Zhou Du 20 is able to transport 10 tank wagons weighing 480 tons per trip, compared with 7 wagons weighing 300 tons for previous ro-ro ships. 

Zhoushan has been witnessing huge growth in its ability to transport hazardous chemical substances in recent years, thanks to the landing of the environmentally-friendly petrochemical base and ENN Zhoushan LNG Import Terminal. 

To further meet transportation needs and improve efficiency, another ro-ro ship, Zhou Du 21, is under construction, and is expected to begin operating in September.