国内英语新闻:Largest vehicle ferry to connect China, ROK

JINAN, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- Work on China's largest roll-on/roll-off ferry has been completed and will be put into operation soon, authorities in east China's Shandong Province said Thursday.

The 196-meter-long and 28.6-meter-wide ship, with a shipping capacity of 34,000 tonnes, can carry 1,080 passengers. The driveway is 2,480 meters long. The sailing speed is set at 23 knots.

According to Rongcheng city government, the ship will begin operation in early 2018, sailing between Lianyungang in Jiangsu Province and Inchon, Republic of Korea.

A roll-on/roll-off ferry is designed to carry vehicles as well as passengers, and provide accommodation and entertainment onboard.

Chang Junde, deputy general manager of Huanghai Shipbuilding Co., said the ship is equipped with a supermarket, a duty-free store, pubs, a karaoke bar and a cinema.

As more Chinese are choosing self-driving tours, the demand for vehicle ferries is expected to increase, Chang said.