Solar Energy-powered Cruisers Built in DPRK

Pyongyang, May 31 (KCNA) -- The Ryongnam Dockyard in the DPRK built several solar energy-powered cruisers. In this regard, KCNA met Kim Ho Chol, chief engineer of the dockyard. Kim said: As a gift to the Seventh Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, the dockyard built some solar energy-powered cruisers, as well as the 5 000-ton cargo ship Jaryok (self-reliance). It finished designing of the hull and ship control system in a short span of time in cooperation with the Research Institute of Maritime Transport under the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport. And, it completed the assembling of the bows of the hull and deck in four days. Each cruiser is 23m long and 6.5m wide and has a displacement of 45 tons. It can run 6kns per hour and accommodate 50 to 60 people. The cruisers will soon run along the River Taedong. -0-