BEIJING - Work on the world's first roll-on/roll-off ship powered by two kinds of fuels began Wednesday, according to the China's largest shipping company.

The ship, which can carry 3,800 cars, is the first ro-ro powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and is manufactured by Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering Co Ltd (NACKS), a joint venture between China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company (COSCO) and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.

The carrier will run on LNG while sailing through the Baltic and North sea due to strict European environmental requirements and can be powered by conventional fuel in other regions, according to a senior manager with the company.

The ship is designed independently by NACKS and consumes less fuel and emits less carbon dioxide and other waste gas compared with conventional carriers.