China amps up electric ships in push to decarbonise waterways, leverage EV prowess
Twin strengths, battery technology and shipbuilding, are being fused to electrify maritime transport, moving beyond short-haul passenger vessels to commercial cargo
Having electrified its highways, China is mobilising its shipbuilding prowess and battery giants such as CATL to overhaul some shipping fleets, betting that the revolution in green transport can float as well as it drives.
The shift towards clean energy underscores Beijing’s broader decarbonisation commitment – vowing to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve neutrality by 2060. These goals have spurred substantial strides in renewable capacity installation, end-use revamps, new technology development and carbon trading.
More than 1,000 vessels powered by electricity or alternative fuels are currently operating on China’s vast network of inland waterways, including 485 e-vessels, most of which are river passenger ships, according to data from the Ministry of Transport.
However, some governments and companies are pivoting towards the development of electric cargo vessels, moving beyond short-haul passenger ships but largely confining this shift for now to domestic waterways rather than international deep-sea freight.
Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Group launched a pure-electric cargo ship on February 7. Designed to transport up to 1,000 tonnes of freight on the Min River, the vessel boasts a 200km (124-mile) range on a single charge.
Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the world’s largest EV battery producer, has partnered with Jining Energy, a state-owned firm in Shandong province, to develop electric vessels with a 2,000-tonne load capacity and a range of up to 270km (158 miles) on a single charge. Five units were launched in December, with Jining Energy placing orders for an additional 50 ships.