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June 2005

China Adopts Malaysian-Style Ferries

The city of Sibu in Borneo's Sarawak province of east Malaysia is noted for its distinctive slim river ferries. (Hotips#225 & 226) Said to have derived from dugout canoe designs a single Cummins KTA38 engine now often powers the powerful ferries. These ferries have found ready markets in the Philippines and can be seen on the Mekong in Cambodia as well as on Chinese rivers.

In China, around the numerous islands off the coast of Ningbo to the southeast of Shanghai, similar ferries, showing their Malaysian influence, serve as fast efficient links among the islands and with the mainland. Based in the town of Ding Hai on Zhou Shan Island, the Tang Da High-Speed Passenger Vessel Company Ltd. operates eight of these sleek vessels.  The sister-ships are each 30.4 by 4.3 meters and are each powered by a pair of 500 HP (339 Kw) six-cylinder Cummins
engines. These will push the boats at speeds around 20 knots with up to 70 passengers and six crewmembers.

The ferries have been built by the Wuhan Nanhua Shipbuilding Company over the past several years. The latest delivery was in 2004 with negotiations currently underway for additional vessels.

For further information:
Simon Leng
Senior Co.Inc., U.S.A.Shanghai Rep-Office
Suite 1103, 11th Floor, Metro Tower
30 Tian Yao Qiao Road
Shanhai, 200030, China
Phone: (86-21) 64268000 ex 891
Fax:  (86-21) 64268666
Mobile: 1370 183 5643
E-mail: simon.leng@cummins.com

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