All-Electric Boxship For Yangtze Route

The unique newbuild type employs a high-capacity energy storage system based on exchangeable batteries, which will feed two 900kW main propulsion electric motors. The project signals the adoption of fully battery-powered vessels on the inland waterways system, and is in keeping with the Chinese Government endeavour to promote ‘green’ investment along the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

The vessels have been allocated by COSCO Shipping Development to Group subsidiary company Shanghai Pan Asia Shipping for service between Shanghai and Wuhan, the city port 600 miles (65km) up the Yangtze. The design is of 120m length by 23.6m width, with a draught of 5.5m to facilitate handling on the waterway and its constantly changing conditions.

Each boxship will have exceptionally large installed battery capacity, whereby the battery installation will be in replaceable containerised units, accounting for 36TEU slots. As vessels proceed along their regular route, discharged ESS units will be swapped with recharged boxes at designated stations.

In addition, a ‘smart’ ship management system will be employed to increase operational efficiency. Capabilites will include ‘intelligent’ adjustment of energy consumption matched to the ship’s needs at any point, and voyage speed planning in accordance with scheduled arrival time, river current speed, battery capacity and other factors.

The vessel layout features an aerodynamic, forward superstructure and bridge, and raised cell guides on the after part of the weatherdeck above the machinery space.

COSCO claims that the vessel will be the most prominent in her category as regards environmental standing, reducing carbon emissions by some 32t per day relative to comparable boxship tonnage burning conventional fuel. The first-of-class, still referred to as hull number N997, is expected to commence trials at the end of September, and will undergo thorough verification of the power system before being phased into Shanghai Pan Asia’s Yangtze feeder network.

COSCO is one of the founding partners and a prime mover in the China Electrical Ship Innovation Alliance, which was established in February this year to promote the development of ‘green’ solutions. The ultimate aim of achieving carbon neutrality in shipping allies with China’s broader industrial and economic net-zero goals.