On December 30th, 2024, the construction of the world's largest 10,000-ton pure electric cargo ship officially began in Hubei Province, China. This innovative vessel is designed to revolutionize cargo transportation with zero-emission capabilities.

100% Domestically Developed
Led by China Three Gorges Corporation's subsidiary, Changjiang Power Three Gorges Electric Energy, and developed in collaboration with numerous domestic research institutions, this project is a flagship initiative for China's 10,000-ton pure electric bulk cargo ship demonstration. Impressively, every aspect of the ship is fully domestically sourced, showcasing the nation’s growing capabilities in advanced maritime technologies.

Intelligent Features Leading the Way
This vessel is also China's first inland bulk cargo ship to receive the intelligent ship "i-Ship (R1)" and "i-Ship (Nn)" additional notations, signifying its leadership in smart shipping technology. For the first time in large-scale inland navigation, it is equipped with a cutting-edge intelligent navigation and control system, offering features such as:

Multi-link networks utilizing 4G, 5G, BeiDou, and satellite technology.

Capabilities include remote-controlled navigation, autonomous operations, collision avoidance, and automated berthing and unberthing.

These intelligent functionalities greatly enhance the ship’s safety and operational efficiency, marking a significant step forward in the modernization of inland shipping.

Powering the Future
Battery System: 12 lithium battery box modules, each resembling a container, with a total capacity of approximately 24,000 kWh.

Operational Efficiency: The modular battery design allows for quick swaps, eliminating lengthy charging times and enabling a range of up to 500 kilometers on a single charge.

Environmental Impact and Green Development
Upon completion, this ship is expected to replace approximately 617.5 tons of fuel annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 2,052 tons per year.

Additionally, the project includes the construction of supporting charging and battery-swapping stations, which will lay a solid foundation for the widespread adoption of long-range large electric bulk cargo ships.


Source：Xinde Marine News Pang Kai