Finland-based Deltamarin, a unit of China Merchants Group, has signed a contract with China Merchants Jinling shipyard in Weihai for the approval and detailed design of La Meridionale’s upcoming LNG-powered vessel project.
Earlier this year, CMA CGM finalized its acquisition of compatriot La Meridionale saying that it plans to order two LNG-powered vessels to work between Corsica and Marseille.
La Meridionale recently revealed the design of the French-flagged vessels saying they will be 180 meters long, 30.8 meters wide, and will have 264 cabins.
As a part of the contract, Deltamarin said it will be responsible for providing both the approval and detail design services for the construction of the new RoPax vessel pair.
Deltamarin has earlier provided the shipyard with consultancy and contract design services on the project.
Expected for delivery in early 2027 from CMI Jinling Weihai yard, the vessels will each accommodate 1,000 passengers across 264 cabins in seven categories, including 21 luxury cabins with balconies, it said.
The vessels will operate on two engines with a combined output of 21,000 kW. While primarily using LNG, the engines include multi-fuel capabilities, accommodating future adoption of biogas and synthetic methane, Deltamarin said.
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, it said.