China's largest photovoltaic energy and LNG dual-fuel car carrier, Yuan Hai Kou, embarked on its maiden voyage from Nansha Port in Guangzhou, the capital of south China's Guangdong Province, on Thursday.
Fully loaded with 4,000 China-made cars, more than 90 percent of which are new-energy vehicles, the ship will sail to Mediterranean countries including Greece, Spain, Tunisia, and Türkiye.
Measuring 199.9 meters in length and with a gross tonnage of 68,252 tons, the Yuan Hai Kou, built by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) for COSCO Shipping Car Carriers Co Ltd, boasts a loading capacity of 7,000 standard car spaces and can transport all vehicle types.
Compared with traditional single-fuel car carriers, it can save about 20 percent in energy consumption annually.
In addition to its impressive capacity and energy efficiency, the ship is equipped with an advanced intelligent monitoring system that allows for dynamic tracking of both the vessel and its cargo. This enables the crew and cargo owners to remotely monitor the status of their goods.
"Equipped with more than 200 cameras, along with infrared thermal imaging and digital twin technology, the ship provides complete visibility into the car transportation process. The system allows for seamless monitoring with a single screen and a unified network," said Yang Guangkai, the port captain.
To improve the quality of life of the crew on board, the vessel is outfitted with an automated vegetable-growing cabinet that regulates temperature, humidity, lighting, and hydroponic nutrients for the plants, ensuring the crew can enjoy fresh produce throughout the long voyage.
With the delivery of the Yuan Hai Kou, the COSCO Shipping car carrier fleet has expanded to 20 vessels, with routes covering countries and regions in the Persian Gulf, Europe, East Africa and South Africa, South America, and the Mediterranean, ensuring the smooth operation of China's automotive supply chain.
By 2026, the fleet is expected to grow to 30 vessels, further boosting China's car exports and enhancing its global shipping capacity.
China’s largest PV energy, LNG dual-fuel car carrier embarks on maiden voyage
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
