Norway's Brodrene Aa shipyard has announced a deal to build three fast ferries for a Chinese owner.

It said the 500-gt carbon-fibre catamaran ships will be operated by Zhongshan-Hong Kong Passenger Shipping Co-op Co between Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

The new ferries Photo: Brodrene

Two of the three will carry 300 passengers at 40 knots. The other will have a 230-passenger capacity and a speed of 37 knots.