China’s domination of the international market for the construction of large ro-pax ferries has gained a new edge through the delivery of the first in a series of almost entirely home-grown vessels for an Italian owner.

Whereas export production in the sector has hitherto relied extensively on foreign design and technological input, the latest delivery to European principals is distinguished by its predominantly Chinese origination.

Ordered by Geneva-based MSC Group on behalf of Italian affiliate Grandi Navali Veloci (GNV), contractor Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) was entrusted with the development and design of the series. Chinese self-reliance expressed in the project also includes the interior architecture, interior materials and furnishings, as well as the widest recourse to locally manufactured and designed equipment. First of four contracted to GNV’s account, the 218-metre GNV Polaris has put down a marker for Chinese marine technologies in a number of spheres.