China Building Ferries for Taiwan Invasion, US Intel Warns

US Naval Intelligence (ONI) has released a report warning that China is building huge civilian ferries specifically designed to transport troops and equipment for a possible large-scale invasion of Taiwan. These ships, which at first glance are ordinary cargo ferries, are actually a key part of China's "military-civilian fusion" strategy, the report says.

According to it, the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) own amphibious fleet, although large, may be insufficient to transport the necessary troops and armored vehicles to carry out a successful attack on Taiwan. To fill this gap, Beijing is subsidizing the construction of "roll-on, roll-off" (Ro-Ro) type ferries by civilian companies, which initially have a dual purpose.

These ships can transport thousands of soldiers and hundreds of units of armored vehicles, including tanks. Their special feature is that they are equipped with ramps that are compatible with both civilian ports and military landing craft. This allows troops to land not only in ports but also on the high seas via landing craft. In recent years, these ferries have regularly participated in Chinese army exercises, practically testing the possibilities of rapid troop transport and landing.

According to Thomas Shugart, an expert at the Center for a New American Security, this is not a theoretical possibility. China is actively building and testing these ships to significantly expand its capabilities for an attack on Taiwan.

Integrating the civilian fleet into military plans gives China several advantages. It not only dramatically increases troop transport capabilities but also blurs the line between civilian and military infrastructure, making it difficult for the enemy to detect signs of an attack preparation in time. US intelligence assesses this as a "significant and flexible capability" that allows Beijing to prepare for the worst-case scenario of taking Taiwan by force.