China launched the world's largest all-electric river cargo ship, also the first 10,000-deadweight-ton all-electric river vessel, on Thursday in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province, marking a key milestone in the country's green and intelligent shipping sector.
Named Gezhouba, the vessel, with a length of nearly 130 meters and a maximum load capacity of over 13,000 tons, is equipped with 12 lithium battery power units that provide a total power capacity of 24,000 kWh.
Its developer said this vessel allows for rapid battery swapping and boasts a range of 500 kilometers.
In terms of intelligence, the ship features an advanced smart control system that enables remote navigation and automatic berthing, seamlessly integrated with multi-link communication networks.
Chinese Academy of Engineering academician Yan Xinping said that this project transcends single-product innovation, successfully validating core technologies such as large-capacity batteries and distributed DC power systems. "We have successfully integrated critical components -- new-energy propulsion, smart control systems, and shore-side infrastructure, while validating advanced technologies, including high-capacity batteries, distributed DC power systems, remote piloting, multi-network integration, and ship-to-shore communications," Yan said.
The vessel is expected to save approximately 617 tons of fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,052 tons every year.
China launches world's largest all-electric river cargo ship
