On Sept. 29, the Pearl of East China VII, the first luxury roll-on/roll-off, or ro-ro, passenger ship designed and built by China, initiated its first voyage, officially replacing the Pearl of East China VI on the Shidao-Inchon route. The new ship is the first luxury ro-ro passenger ship sailing between China and South Korea.

The ship was built according to international standards, with investment totaling 400 million yuan. It is 196 meters long, 28.6 meters wide, and weighs 34,000 tons. The length of its onboard space is 2,500 meters.

Cars, lorries and shipping containers can be accomodated on board. The ship can also hold up to 1,500 passengers, who are free to take advantage of the supermarkets, bars, parking area and entertainment facilities on the cruise ship-like vessel.

The Pearl of East China VI, which was purchased from abroad, has served for nearly three decades. The ship's outdated facilities could no longer satisfy the increasing need for exchanges of personnel and goods between China and South Korea.