China has reached a major landmark in green transportation with the launch of the world's largest fully electric container ship.
Developed and manufactured by the state-owned China Ocean Shipping Group (Cosco), the vessel is now operating a regular service route between Shanghai and Nanjing, aiming to reduce emissions significantly along its journey.
(Photo : Image via Cosco)
China debuts the world's largest fully electric container ship, the Greenwater 01, revolutionizing maritime transportation with its eco-friendly propulsion system and potential for significant emission reductions.
China's First Electric Container Ship
(Photo : Keith Tsuji/Getty Images)
HONG KONG, CHINA - OCTOBER 01: People wave with a flag of China to celebrate China National Day on October 1, 2022 in Hong Kong, China.
The Greenwater 01, an all-electric container ship, is positioning itself to be a shipping industry pioneer. As first reported by the South China Morning Post, its eco-friendly propulsion system is powered solely by batteries, saving 3,900 kg (8,600 lb) of fuel for every 100 nautical miles sailed, making it a game-changer in sustainable shipping.
Cosco highlighted the ship's potential impact on emission reduction on their social media accounts, stating that it could achieve substantial reductions throughout the year.
The company also said Greenwater 01's inaugural voyage with "zero emissions, pollution, and noise has set a new benchmark for transforming the shipping industry towards the goals of low carbon and environmentally friendliness."
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Record-Breaking Electric Container Ship Technology
The Greenwater 01 boasts several world records in electric container ship technology. From its length and breadth to its container and battery capacity, the ship pushes the boundaries of what is possible in electric maritime transportation. Equipped with a main battery exceeding 50,000 kilowatt-hours, the vessel can accommodate additional battery boxes for longer voyages.
These battery boxes, each containing 1,600 kilowatt-hours of electricity and similar in size to standard 20-foot containers, provide flexibility in extending the ship's travel range. With 24 battery boxes onboard, the Greenwater 01 can complete a journey consuming 80,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. This is equivalent to saving 15 tonnes of fuel compared to a standard container ship, highlighting the efficiency of electric propulsion systems.
According to Cosco, a single ship can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,918 tonnes per year, equivalent to taking 2,035 family cars off the road or planting 160,000 trees.
Safety is a top priority for electric vessels, especially lithium-iron phosphate batteries. Crew members undergo specialized fire training to handle emergencies related to these batteries, and the ship has a fire detection and alarm system designed for the battery compartment.
Zhang Lifu, an officer at Yangshan Port in Shanghai, emphasizes the importance of crew readiness in responding to potential fire incidents, highlighting the unique challenges posed by lithium iron phosphate batteries.
In addition to the Greenwater 01, Cosco launched two 700TEU electric container ships, N997 and N998-these vessels are equipped with advanced battery-powered propulsion systems.
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