Chinese ferry operator Zhuhai High-Speed Passenger Ferry Co Ltd. has selected Rolls-Royce to supply water jets and high-speed MTU diesel engines to power two new aluminum catamaran ferries.

The ferries will be some of the first to feature the Rolls-Royce Steel S71-4 water jets as the company grows its presence in the South China marine market.

“These water jets are developed specifically to meet the reduced speed requirements of many high-speed ferry operators," says Richard Wang, senior vice president of Commercial Marine at Rolls-Royce.

Each ferry will be driven by an MTU 16V 4000 M70 engine delivering 2240kW, which will help the vessels top out at 34 knots.

The vessels are under construction at the AFAI Southern Shipyard, and the first ferry is scheduled to be delivered in December 2015. It is expected to serve routes in the Pearl Delta between Zhuhai, Shekou and Hong Kong.