Deltamarin wins design contract for La Méridionale’s new ro-pax vessels

Deltamarin has signed a contract with China Merchants Jinling shipyard (Weihai) for the approval and detail design of La Méridionale’s upcoming ro-pax vessel project.

As a part of the contract, Deltamarin will be responsible for providing both the approval and detail design services for the construction of the new ro-pax vessel pair. Deltamarin has earlier provided the shipyard with consultancy and contract design services on the project.

Expected for delivery in early 2027 from China’s CMI Jinling Weihai yard, the vessels will each accommodate 1,000 passengers across 264 cabins in seven categories, including 21 luxury cabins with balconies.

With dimensions of 180 meters in length and 30.8 meters in width, the vessels will operate on two engines with a combined output of 21,000 kW. While primarily using conventional LNG, the engines include multi-fuel capabilities, accommodating future adoption of biogas and synthetic methane.

Moreover, the integration of a 13 MWh battery pack will enable zero-emission capabilities while in port—a significant advantage, especially at the port in Corsica, given the limited availability of shore power solutions.

Deltamarin and Weihai shipyard have a long history of collaboration and experience in working together, showcased in prior projects such as the Superstar ro-pax project for Finnlines, E-Flexer ro-pax vessels for Swedish Stena Line and the Rosa dei Venti ro-ro vessel for Italian Giovanni Visentini Trasporti Fluviomarittimi.