It’s widely believed that shipping will be one of the hardest transportation segments to electrify. However, as usual, the Chinese are on the case.
The state-owned China Ocean Shipping Group (Cosco) has developed and manufactured an all-electric container ship, the Greenwater 01, which is now operating a regular service route between Shanghai and Nanjing.
As reported by the South China Morning Post, the Greenwater 01’s propulsion system is powered solely by batteries, and saves 3,900 kg (8,600 lb) of fuel for every 100 nautical miles sailed.
The ship’s main battery pack features LFP cells, and has a capacity of over 50,000 kWh. The vessel can accommodate additional battery boxes for longer voyages. Each battery box stores 1,600 kWh of electricity, and is similar in size to a standard 20-foot container. With 24 battery boxes onboard, the Greenwater 01 can complete a journey requiring 80,000 kWh—equivalent to saving 15 tons of fuel compared to a standard container ship.
According to Cosco, the ship can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,918 tons per year, equivalent to taking 2,035 cars off the road.
Safety is a top priority aboard. Crew members undergo specialized fire training to handle emergencies related to the Li-ion batteries, and the ship has a fire detection and alarm system designed for the battery compartment.
In addition to the Greenwater 01, Cosco has launched two 700TEU electric container ships, prosaically called N997 and N998.
The company 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.”
Source: South China Morning Post via Tech Times
Images: COSCO
