China’s Ningbo Ocean Shipping commissioned a pair of all-electric container ships earlier this year, described as the first of their kind in China the largest in the world.
Ningbo Ocean Shipping plans to maintain a feeder service with the vessel. The plan calls for routing between Ningbo Port and Zhapu, located to the north across Hangzhou Bay from the busy international seaport at Ningbo. Ningbo Ocean Shipping was established just over 30 years ago and it currently operating 33 container liner routes servicing an inland trade network connecting 39 ports along the north and south coasts and the Yangtze River.
The ships were designed by Shanghai Ship Research and Design Institute for China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited. The 128 metre vessels are equipped with seven cargo holds with an open-hatch to improve efficiency during loading and unloading.
Ten box batteries power the ship, providing 19,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy, which can be swapped or recharged in port, are located in a dedicated area away from the crew’s quarters.
The ships’ bow shape protects against wind, noise, and vibration, while a dual-engine, dual-prop propulsion system aids maneuverability in complex conditions.
According to global insurance company AXA XL, changes in the climate — primarily driven by pollution from dirty fuels such as coal, gas, and oil — have disrupted the maritime industry. Severe weather events such as hurricanes have become increasingly intense, and sea-level changes have impacted the availability of certain routes.
Sources:
- TCD, July 22, 2024. https://www.thecooldown.com/…/all-electric…/
- The Maritime Executive, May 28, 2024. https://maritime-executive.com/…/chinese-coastal…