Recently, at the China Maritime Day Forum, China Classification Society (CCS) released the "New Energy Applications and Ship Types for Domestic Waters 2025." This report systematically analyzed the development trends of new energy technologies for inland and coastal vessels. In collaboration with the industry, CCS developed technical solutions for eight typical new energy ship types, providing references for local governments and industry enterprises in decision-making. These efforts serve as a demonstration to lead the green and intelligent transformation and upgrading of the shipping industry. Next, CCS will work with the industry to establish a spectrum of typical new energy ship types for domestic waters, driving the development of new quality productive forces in the industry, promoting the optimization and adjustment of the domestic water transport structure, and comprehensively boosting the high-quality development of the shipping industry.

The Ministry of Transport of China, in conjunction with relevant departments, has issued the "Action Plan for Promoting the Implementation of the Connectivity Project of the Inland Water Transport System" and the "Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development of Inland Water Transport." These policies focus on the "hard connectivity" of infrastructure, addressing bottlenecks and obstacles in inland water transport, enhancing the level of facilities, equipment, and transport services, and accelerating the green, low-carbon, and smart innovation transformation of inland water transport. Meanwhile, amid the global response to climate change, the shipping industry faces increasing pressure regarding greenhouse gas emission reductions, with green and low-carbon development becoming a focal point of industry attention.

In response to the uncertainty surrounding future fuel choices in the shipping industry and the confusion regarding emission reduction pathways, CCS conducted a comprehensive assessment of the application of LNG, methanol, lithium batteries, and hydrogen fuel cells from six dimensions: safety, economy, supply, technology, environmental protection, and policy. It concluded that methanol and batteries are the primary directions for fuels in China's inland and coastal shipping.

Based on the principles of "suitability for navigation, ports, and cargo," and considering船舶 (Note: "船舶" here seems redundant in English context and is omitted for fluency) environmental protection and economic efficiency of vessels, over the past year, CCS has collaborated with relevant industry units to develop technical solutions for typical new energy ship types in Chinese waters, offering a variety of options for the shipping market.

1. 130m Lock-Passing Standard Ship Type

This ship type integrates advanced, intelligent, green, and economic features. Through target-based specification design, the ship's steel weight is reduced by approximately 50 tons. Equipped with an intelligent navigation and docking/undocking assistance system, it enhances navigation and docking safety in adverse weather and complex waterways. Utilizing a methanol-only fuel power system, it reduces CO2 emissions by over 56 tons per year. The fuel cost is approximately 380,000 yuan lower per year compared to a similar diesel-powered vessel.

2. 2,000-Ton Canal Ship Type

This ship type is characterized by its green, safe, intelligent, and economic features. It adopts a box-type battery swap mode, reducing annual CO2 emissions by about 350 tons. The propulsion system design fully considers the power and maneuverability requirements in the complex navigation environment of canals. Propulsion efficiency is improved by approximately 13% compared to traditional solutions, significantly reducing operational costs.

3. Inland River Tour Ship Type

This ship type leads the tourism industry's transformation from "single sightseeing" to "diversified urban services," featuring green, multi-functional, comfortable, and intelligent characteristics. It utilizes pure battery power, achieving zero emissions. The catamaran design creates a multi-functional, multi-scenario activity space. Vibration and noise levels reach the highest comfort rating for inland green vessels, providing a high-quality riding environment. It integrates intelligent navigation, intelligent engine room, docking assistance, and passenger management systems, enhancing safety and management efficiency.

4. 18,000-Ton River-Sea Direct Ship Type

This ship type is China's largest energy-efficient and environmentally friendly vessel capable of reaching the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. It features suitability for navigation, advancement, greenness, and economy. Designed for the wind and wave conditions of the Ningbo-Zhoushan sea area and inland waterways, it achieves efficient river-sea direct navigation. It employs a high-efficiency propeller and a low-resistance twin-tail fin hull form, significantly improving maneuverability and energy efficiency. Using methanol-only fuel, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 40%-45%. Annual fuel cost savings reach 20%.

5. 130m Lock-Passing River-Sea Direct Ship Type

This ship type is an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly vessel serving western land-sea shipping. It features suitability for navigation, advancement, greenness, and economy, specifically designed for the second channel from Ningbo-Zhoushan Port to Chongqing. It combines the application of a low-resistance hull form, a high-efficiency propeller, and vortex-eliminating fins to comprehensively improve propulsion efficiency by about 7%. Equipped with an intelligent control system, it enhances risk resistance. Using methanol-only fuel, it reduces annual emissions by approximately 40%-45%. Annual fuel costs are about 20% lower than those of diesel-powered vessels.

6. Coastal Passenger Ship

This ship type is specifically designed for passenger transport between islands, offering advantages in greenness, comfort, and economy. It utilizes pure battery power, providing significant environmental benefits. With excellent noise control capabilities, it reduces noise levels by 20-25 decibels compared to traditional diesel vessels, greatly improving the passenger experience. It operates using shore power charging, saving approximately 1.08 million yuan in operational costs annually.

7. 20,000 m³ LNG Bunkering Vessel

This ship type features an innovative autonomous Type B containment system with enhanced tank pressure capabilities. It has developed innovative design technology for enhancing tank pressure in the Type B containment system, increasing pressure accumulation time by 50%-60%. The vessel can effectively accommodate various sizes of recipient vessels. It is equipped with a self-developed intelligent ship system, featuring functions such as intelligent navigation, intelligent engine room, and intelligent platform.

8. 7,999-Ton Intelligent Green Methanol Bunkering Vessel

This ship type is a safe, efficient, intelligent, and energy-saving vessel. The optimized bow and stern hull forms, combined with a reasonable fender arrangement, ensure maximum protection for both the bunkering vessel and the recipient vessel during docking operations. Its large depth design allows for the maximum loading of methanol according to its carrying capacity. It holds an intelligent ship class notation, significantly improving energy efficiency and management efficiency. Equipped with power batteries, it can assist the power grid in peak shaving and valley filling and enable quiet bunkering operations for cruise ships.

China Maritime United Technology specializes in the research and development, production, and sales of new energy electric vessels. We provide full-process ship solutions for global clients, especially those in Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. If you have such needs, please feel free to consult us!