On the morning of August 22, the launching ceremony of the first new energy intelligent ship produced by Shandong Xinneng Shipping Industry was held at the White Horse River in Jining City. This event marked the entry of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal shipping into the era of electrification. Leaders, experts, scholars, and representatives from industrial chain cooperation enterprises gathered to witness the successful launch of Jining Energy Group's 90-meter LNG-powered container carrier and 67.6-meter pure electric multi-purpose carrier.
Attendees included former Minister of Transport Huang Zhendong, Wuhan University of Technology Party Secretary Xin Sijin, Li Qingyun from the Yangtze River Navigation Administration, and leaders and officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Transport, and other national ministries and departments. Also present were Shanghai Maritime University's former President Huang Youfang, China Logistics Society Vice President Yang Bin, provincial and municipal leaders such as Gao Hongyan, Zhang Maorui, Zhu Guiyou, Chen Ying, Zhang Huashan, and Jining Energy Group's Party Secretary and Chairman Zhang Guangyu, Deputy Party Secretary and General Manager Wang Chongjing. Zoucheng Municipal Party Secretary Yuan Yibin presided over the ceremony.
Focusing on "Double Carbon" and Productivity
Jining, located at the northernmost point of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, sees over 10,000 ships operating on its inland waterways throughout the year. Shipbuilding is labor-intensive and traditionally relies on diesel fuel, impacting the environment.
"The completion and launch of these first two new energy vessels by Jining Energy Group's new ship industry represent a significant step in implementing the central government's requirements for new quality productivity," said Zhang Maorui in his speech. "This also reflects our commitment to optimizing transport structure and accelerating the green and intelligent development of inland waterway vessels, injecting new momentum into the green transformation of inland waterway transport."
Guided by the national "double carbon" strategy, Jining Energy Group is actively responding to policy directions with a focus on green, intelligent, modern, and standardized development. Collaborating with the New Energy Ship Technology Research Center at Wuhan University of Technology, they have developed various ship types, including 90-meter, 73-meter, and 67.6-meter vessels. These ships feature significantly increased cargo capacity, reduced unit load resistance, over 90% reduction in pollutant emissions, and a 15% reduction in carbon emissions, advancing the green transformation of inland waterway transport.
Leading the Way in Inland Ship Manufacturing
The first batch of new energy smart commodity ships includes the 90-meter LNG-powered container carrier and the 67.6-meter pure electric multi-purpose carrier. The LNG carrier can carry 5,000 tons, load up to 161 standard containers, and travel 2,000 kilometers when fully loaded, making it the largest vessel type suitable for the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal. The pure electric vessel, equipped with batteries from Ningde Times, has a range of up to 300 kilometers on a full charge, making it ideal for Shandong Province's water transport needs.
"The establishment of China's first integrated research, design, and intelligent manufacturing base for new energy ships is a significant achievement. It accelerates the transition to a 'gasification canal' and 'electrochemical canal,' promoting the green, low-carbon, and high-quality development of inland shipping," said Wang Chongjing in his speech.
"We have designed the ships considering the specific needs of inland shipping, focusing on seaworthiness, safety, and comfort. Both vessels feature streamlined hull designs that reduce navigation resistance and improve energy efficiency, along with advanced navigation and monitoring systems for safe operation in complex waters," added Zhang Qiang, Party Branch Secretary of the New Energy Ship Industry.
Jining Energy Group's strategic focus on integrating green and intelligent technologies aims to enhance ship energy efficiency and optimize the environmental performance of the logistics chain. The intelligent manufacturing base, utilizing cutting-edge research and automation, sets new benchmarks in production efficiency, quality control, and environmental standards, strengthening Jining's position in the global green ship manufacturing industry.
Chen Peng, Deputy Director of the Technical Information Department at Shandong Xinneng Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., mentioned, "We have worked with Wuhan Institute of Technology to design a new energy ship that reduces resistance and incorporates waste heat recovery devices to improve energy efficiency. Compared to fuel tankers, our ship saves 3,000 yuan per 100 kilometers when operating stably."
"Golden Waterway" Promotes New Navigation Directions
Jining has been a key water transport hub since the Tang and Song Dynasties. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal has historically boosted regional economic development and now serves as a "golden waterway" connecting major national strategies and fostering regional development.
"We will upgrade outdated ships with new technologies and processes, transitioning from traditional fuel oil vessels to green ships with new models and technologies," said Zhang Guangyu. "This update promotes the modularization and standardization of ship manufacturing and ensures the sustainable flow of Grand Canal water."
Leveraging the Grand Canal, Jining Energy Group has established a benchmark for China's inland new energy ship manufacturing. This project connects the north and south, supports green development, and drives the growth of upstream and downstream industries. The successful launch of these new energy ships injects momentum into Jining's port logistics and high-end manufacturing sectors, marking a new phase in the green intelligent development of inland ships and contributing to the economic revival of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.
During the ceremony, Comrade Duan Yanren, Deputy General Manager of the Qingdao Branch of China Classification Society, presented the "New Ship Principle Recognition Certificate" to Shandong Xinneng Shipping Industry. Secretary Xin Sijin of Wuhan University of Technology announced the "new ship launch," with two ships being slowly launched into the water.
Jining Energy Group plans to build on this success by continuing to enhance industrial efficiency and core competitiveness, developing a series of standardized ship types to meet diverse needs, and promoting innovative ship types in the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal. They aim to establish a robust modern industrial system for inland waterway ships, leading the transformation and upgrading of the field toward greener and smarter solutions.
Representatives from 48 strategic customers, industry associations, financial institutions, municipal departments, and universities, as well as mainstream media journalists and relevant enterprise personnel, participated in the event.