China’s first large inland clean energy “ro-ro” (roll-on/roll-off) ship — part of the Chuanjiang River clean energy “ro-ro” ship project — has been launched in Zigui County, Hubei Province.
The ship is a demonstration vessel jointly developed by the China Yangtze Power Co., Ltd. and the Ministry of Transport’s Changjiang River Administration of Navigational Affairs. The aim is to promote the use of clean energy for marine propulsion, reduce pollution and lower carbon emissions in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, contributing to the development of green shipping in the region.
The first phase of the “ro-ro” ship project includes the building of three new energy vessels, primarily for the transportation of heavy-load vehicles over the 580-kilometer stretch between Zigui County’s Maoping Wharf and Chongqing’s Guojiatuo Wharf. Each vessel has a length of 129.8 meters and a width of 30 meters, with a designed carrying capacity of 8,000-9,000 tons. The vessel is equipped with a “methanol single-fuel power generation + electric propulsion” system, which includes three 1,200-kilowatt methanol fuel engines, three 1,050-kilowatt generators and propulsion motors, and two sets of 600-kilowatt-hour marine lithium battery systems.
The ship is designed to travel at a speed of 20 km per hour, and it is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 157.5 tons per ship compared to conventional fuel-powered vessels.
As a key initiative of the strategic partnership between the Changjiang River Administration of Navigational Affairs and China Three Gorges Corporation, the project not only improves the transportation efficiency and environmental performance on the Chuanjiang shipping route, but also provides valuable experience and demonstration effects for accelerating the transition to cleaner vessels in the region.
The project is expected to have a positive influence on the development of green, intelligent shipping along the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River.
