After participating in an international public bidding project of the STATE of RIO DE JANEIRO with the competitors from other 22 countries, through strict assessments and many review procedures, Afai was declared the winner of the bidding project of designing and building seven ferries of 2000 passengers each.
From March 3rd to 6th, Mr. Luiz Carlos Velloso, the Chief of Staff of Transportation Secretariat of the STATE of RIO DE JANEIRO and Mr. Alexandre Veloso, the Naval Engineer of Transportation Secretariat of the STATE of RIO DE JANEIRO, accompanied by Mr. William I Wei Tsui of DPX MANAGEMENT CO., LTD., and Mr. Jose Mario Spritzer of AT Line Shiping Ltd. visited Afai. Mr. Hu Shuguang, the Chief of Management Dept. of Enterprise of China Shipping Industry Co.,LTD, Mr. Wu Mingyi, the General Manager of Afai,  and Mr. Henk van Herwijnen, the General Manager of CoCo Yachts warmly received the Brazilian Clients, as well as introduced the current situation and main accomplishments of Afai. The Brazilian clients inspected the production sites and vessels under construction in Afai’s shipyard, were further acquainted with Afai’s production situation, workmanship level and technical capacity.
On behalf of the STATE of RIO DE JANEIRO, Mr. Luiz Carlos Velloso extended congratulation to Afai for winning the public bidding project of designing and building seven ferries of 2000 passengers each, hoped through this project, can expand the cooperation between Brazil and China, and further deepen the friendly relationship of both countries. Mr. Wu Mingyi expressed appreciation for the approval received from the STATE of RIO DE JANEIRO, and reaffirmed the strong support of the shareholders of Afai, i.e. CHINA SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY CORPORATION(CSIC) and CHINA SHIPPING(GROUP)COMPANY, both of whom attach much attention to this project, Afai confirmed that it will finish the project with top-rate quality of design and construction.
This 2000 pax ferries project includes designing and building six ferries fueled with diesel and one dual-fueled with diesel and LNG, which will be designed by Afai and CoCo Yachts. According to requirements of the bidding, the ferries shall be made of full aluminum, each with the passenger capacity of not less than 2000, providing at least 1000 seats, designed with two bows and two wheelhouses, and with the service speed of 18 knots, will be used to transport passengers in the sheltered waters in the Bay of Guanabara, for performing the crossing between the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi.
This is the first and official visit from the STATE of RIO DE JANEIRO, and after this visit, both sides will sign the shipbuilding contract in mid March in the STATE of RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil