China has taken a significant step in maritime decarbonisation with the commercial launch of the country’s largest 10 000-tonne-class pure electric intelligent container ship, signalling a shift towards electrification on key coastal routes.
The vessel, Ning Yuan Dian Kun, began operations sailing from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port to the Port of Jiaxing in Zhejiang Province on April 15, reports Chinese news agency, Xinhua.
Independently developed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute, the vessel features a fully electric propulsion system designed to deliver zero carbon emissions alongside improved operational efficiency.
Measuring 127.8 metres in length and 21.6 metres in width, with a design draft of 6.2 metres, the ship has a carrying capacity of 742 TEUs. It is powered by two 875 kW permanent-magnet synchronous motors and supported by 10 containerised battery units with a combined capacity of approximately 20 000 kWh.
The vessel is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1 462 tonnes annually while achieving “zero emissions, zero noise and zero pollution throughout its operation”.
Ning Yuan Dian Kun also incorporates advanced intelligent systems. These include smart navigation and engine technologies enabling autonomous collision avoidance, high-precision tracking and integrated ship–shore–cloud control.
The vessel uses a dual-mode energy replenishment system, combining high-voltage shore power with rapid battery container swapping, enhancing operational flexibility and turnaround efficiency.
Design innovations extend to cargo handling and hydrodynamics. An open-deck layout improves loading efficiency, while a wind-reducing bow design cuts air resistance by 15% to 20%.
A sister vessel, Ning Yuan Dian Peng, is scheduled for sea trials in May and delivery in June. Once operational, the two ships will run on fixed routes as part of a scaled green shipping model.
“This project demonstrates our commitment to the green transformation of the shipping industry and China's dual carbon goals,” said Ningbo Ocean Shipping Co Ltd chairman, Chen Xiaofeng.
Source: Xinhua
