China Delivers First Domestically Built Pure-Electric Export Container Vessel

China has delivered its first domestically built pure-electric inland container vessel for export, with the ship set to begin operations in Vietnam as demand grows for cleaner inland shipping.

The ship arrived at Rugao Port in Nantong, Jiangsu province, on Tuesday for final testing before departing for Vietnam in four days, according to its builder, Shandong New Energy Shipbuilding Co.

The vessel was built for French shipping company CMA CGM and is the company’s first export order for a domestically built, fully electric container ship designed specifically for inland waterway operations.

Unlike conventional container vessels that run on diesel or other marine fuels, a pure-electric inland container ship is powered entirely by rechargeable batteries.

Such vessels are designed for shorter inland routes where they can operate without direct emissions while also reducing onboard noise.

The new vessel has a capacity of 182 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) and uses a battery-electric propulsion system, enabling zero-emission operations throughout its voyages.

The fully electric design enables zero-emission operations and produces less noise than conventional fuel-powered vessels.

After delivery, the vessel will operate on a fixed liner route between Binh Duong Province and Cai Mep port in Vietnam.

According to Shandong New Energy Shipbuilding Co, the vessel will replace conventional fuel-powered ships currently operating on the route and provide full-cycle green shipping services.

References: China Daily, Maritime Gateway