A new luxury ro-ro passenger vessel built by Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Ltd for Sansha city in South China's Hainan province was officially delivered for use after a signing ceremony was held in Hainan's Wenchang city on Wednesday.

The vessel, the San Sha 2 Hao combines the functions of transportation and replenishment, administrative jurisdiction, emergency rescue command, emergency medical assistance and scientific investigation of islands and reefs, according to a statement released by GSI, a Shanghai Stock Exchanges-listed company, on Thursday.

"San Sha 2 Hao will further enhance transportation capacity between islands and reefs in Sansha, the country's southernmost and largest city in the South China Sea, and improve maritime emergency rescue and medical rescue capacities when it is put into operation," the statement said.

"The high-standard Ropax vessel will play an important role in defending the territorial waters in the southern gate of the country," the statement said.

The deal of delivery for use was signed by Chen Xuehua, director of the Sansha Shipping Administration and deputy director of the Sansha City Bureau of Culture, Tourism and Transportation, and Chen Ji, deputy Party chief and general manager of GSI.