Editorial | China steps up its clean energy push with electric ships
As the world’s largest shipbuilder and a leader in EVs and advanced batteries, the country is well placed to help clean up the polluting shipping industry
In 2022, the world’s largest electric cruise ship embarked on its maiden voyage in Yichang, Hubei province. The Yangtze River Three Gorges 1, which can carry up to 1,300 passengers, runs on battery power and can reportedly save 530 tonnes of fuel and 1,660 tonnes of harmful emissions per year. The vessel displayed the commercial and technical feasibility of electric ships.
More than 1,000 vessels powered by electricity or alternative fuels already operate in the inland waterways. These include 485 e-vessels, which mostly carry passengers in rivers. But Beijing’s real ambition is to develop a world-beating industry for electric cargo vessels for international deep-sea freight.
While electric vessels offer zero emissions and lower operational costs, the upfront cost is significantly higher than conventional fuel-driven ships because of pricey batteries and electric propulsion systems. The technology is already available, so it’s about bringing down costs and producing on a scale to create a competitive industry.
Local governments, private companies and powerful departments such as the Ministry of Transport are working together. Fujian, where CATL is based, leads the way with 34.5 per cent of the nation’s electric-vessel fleet operating there. Under the state-directed “dual carbon” targets, China aims to achieve peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.