The first hydrogen-lithium battery service vessel from China, with a power capacity of 500 kW, was put into operation on March 20 in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province.
The vessel, named Three Gorges Hydrogen Ship No. 1, utilizes a hydrogen fuel cell and domestically produced lithium batteries, marking a significant breakthrough for China’s new energy shipbuilding industry and opening up the potential for hydrogen technology applications in domestic vessels.
Three Gorges Hydrogen Ship No. 1 launched in Guangdong. (Photo: China Three Gorges Corporation).
With a rated output of 500 kW, the ship can achieve a speed of 28 km/h and has a maximum range of 200 km. It is environmentally friendly, with lower energy consumption and noise levels compared to traditional oil-powered vessels. The vessel will be used for transportation, patrolling, and emergency operations in the Three Gorges reservoir area.
The China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and China Yangtze Power Corporation have constructed the Three Gorges Hydrogen Ship No. 1 under the management of the China Three Gorges Corporation. Ship construction began on May 17, 2022. According to Wang Zhen from CSSC’s 712 Research Institute, the vessel has achieved official product certification from the China Classification Society.
China is witnessing rapid development in hydrogen-powered vessels, including both retrofits and new builds. The domestic hydrogen fuel cell market is expected to exceed 10 billion yuan (approximately 1.45 billion USD).
The country has implemented a series of policies and guidelines to promote the development of the renewable energy maritime industry, as part of its green efforts to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
Last year, Chinese ship developers doubled down on green and smart technologies, providing new solutions for the global market. One example is the commercial operation of the world’s largest electric cruise ship on the Yangtze River.
