River and seagoing ship completes maiden voyage in China

HANGZHOU, April 11 (Xinhua) -- A vessel designed to navigate both rivers and the ocean completed a maiden voyage in China Tuesday, the shipping company said.

The vessel departed April 5 from Zhoushan port in Ningbo City on the east coast and arrived at a port in Ma'anshan City in Anhui province on the Yangtze River.

The ship, about 154 meters long, is loaded with 20,000 tonnes of iron ore, according to ship operator Zhejiang Xin Yi Hai Shipping Co., Ltd.

Previously, cargo had to be moved from one ship to another when switching between the ocean and rivers.

"River vessels generally cannot endure the waves at sea, and seagoing ships reach deep and cannot be used in rivers," said Chen Bo, director of Zhejiang Seahead Ship Design and Research Institute.

The new vessel is made from light iron plates. It has a flexible helm and is easier to dock at ports. It is safe for the vessel to cross under bridges on the Yangtze River, said Chen.

The ship was built in Zhoushan and construction started in April last year.

Zhoushan port management authority said use of the ships will greatly raise efficiency of cargo transport between the Yangtze River and the sea. A fleet will be built this year. Enditem