The world’s biggest electric container ship is about to go into service between Shanghai and Nanjing, China, powered by a mammoth 50 megawatt-hour battery.
“The Greenwater 01 arrived at the deepwater Yangshan Port in Hangzhou Bay south of Shanghai this week, an all-electric container ship measuring 119.8 meters in length, width of 23.6 metres and depth of nine metres,” The Driven reports. “It is the world’s first 10,000-tonne pure electric container ship and boasts a top speed of 19.4 kilometres per hour.”
The vessel, unveiled earlier this month by state-owned China Ocean Shipping Group (COSCO), is expected to save 3,900 kilograms of bunker fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 12.4 tonnes for every 100 nautical miles it sails.
It features a series of modular, 1.6-MWh battery containers that can be swapped in or out depending on the length of the ship’s intended journey.
The “revolutionary vessel” represents “an iconic advancement in marine transportation,” writes industry website Marine Insight. Its maiden voyage “was historic, as it set sail with zero emissions, pollution, or noise.”
The news story lists the “critical” safety precautions that enable COSCO to run a battery-powered vessel. “Upon docking, port inspectors thoroughly assess the vessel’s battery packs and fire detection systems,” Marine Insight reports. “Crew members receive specialized fire training to address potential incidents, particularly those involving lithium-iron phosphate batteries.” And “crew members are trained to detect fire in battery boxes and respond promptly.”
