Two RoRo access and transfer system orders secured by MacGREGOR have a total value in the region of SKr150 million (US$20 million): one is for three PCTCs on order in China and the other for three RoPax ships on order in Italy

The largest car carriers yet to be built at a Chinese shipyard will feature MacGREGOR RoRo access equipment. And three RoPax ferries on order in Italy, each offering 4.2km of freight lanes, will also benefit from MacGREGOR RoRo systems.

Construction work on the series of three 5,000-car PCTC vessels begins in China at the end of the year. They are being built for Japanese owner K-Line by NACKS (Nantong Cosco KHI Ship Engineering Co Ltd) a joint venture between Cosco and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

The car carriers will feature comprehensive MacGREGOR equipment packages to enhance operational efficiency. The RoRo systems include quarter ramp/doors, side ramp/doors, internal hoistable ramps, ramp covers and bulkhead doors, which will be supplied during 2005.

RoPax trio for Finnlines

In February Finnlines ordered three 42,000gt cargo/passenger RoPax ferries from Fincantieri, and agreed an option for two more sisterships. The first three will be employed to connect Helsinki and Travemunde.

Fincantieri has designed these 9,300 dwt ferries to carry 300 trucks in 4,200 linear metres. The Italian shipbuilder says these are record figures for this type of ship, and that these will be the biggest RoPax vessels ever built. Up to 500 passengers can be carried, and there are 225 deluxe cabins.

MacGREGOR comprehensive RoRo access equipment package includes a series of external and internal ramps, ramp covers, bow doors, hoistable decks, and shell doors. Delivery of the equipment is scheduled for the first half of 2005, with the ships earmarked for delivery in November 2005, May 2006 and June 2006 respectively.