Nigeria Times

By Han Xin, People’s Daily

Focusing on low-carbon and clean energy, China’s shipbuilding industry has made significant progress in the development of green vessels this year.

In the first half of the year, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. delivered a total of nine large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, with new orders exceeding 20 billion yuan ($2.81 billion). Chinese shipbuilding companies now hold a 35 percent market share in the global market of large LNG carriers.

In the field of power batteries, the world’s largest pure-electric container ship, with a capacity of 700 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and built by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Yangzhou) Co., Ltd., has been launched. This pure-electric vessel boasts a range of 380 kilometers.

Henan Diesel Engine Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, has successfully ignited a methanol fuel engine it independently developed. The first domestically produced methanol dual-fuel low-speed engine is expected to be launched in 2025.

Different technological pathways are driven by the same philosophy of green development. “Green ships refer to vessels that reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions through advanced technologies or the use of clean energy sources,” said an official with the Water Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Transport.

According to the official, green ships are environmentally friendly. They produce only a small amount of pollutant or the pollutant they emit can be effectively disposed of. Besides, they are also highly energy-efficient and often incorporate advanced technologies or clean energy sources to enhance their green performance.

As the world’s largest shipbuilder, China has been closely following the trend of green and low-carbon development in the shipbuilding industry in recent years. Thanks to the rapid development of new energy and clean energy vessels, the proportion of green vessels has steadily increased.

Currently, about 15.6 percent of newly built ships delivered from China are fueled by new energy and clean energy. Among new orders, this proportion reaches around 50 percent. With the implementation of various emission reduction measures around the world, the two figures are expected to continue expanding.

Why are the shipbuilding industry and the shipping sector turning their attention to green power?

On one hand, green vessels can effectively promote emission reduction in the shipping industry.

“Currently, over 80 percent of global trade is carried out through maritime shipping, and green and low-carbon transition has become an inevitable trend in the development of the shipping industry,” said an official with the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport.

In July of this year, the International Maritime Organization adopted a new strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions in international shipping sector by around 2050. The use of green alternative fuels is an important pathway to achieve emission reduction.

On the other hand, the green transformation of ships will also effectively promote the upgrading of passenger and cargo vessels.

Green vessels are an important means of transportation for passengers and goods, and their development plays a key role in accelerating the phasing out and upgrading of old ships, promoting the construction of green supporting facilities in ports, and upgrading water transportation infrastructure standards,” explained an official with.the Water Transport Bureau, Ministry of Transport.

On Oct. 11, China’s first-ever hydrogen fuel cell-powered boat, the Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1, completed its maiden voyage in Hubei province. It marked a breakthrough in the application of hydrogen fuel cells in inland waterway. Compared to ships powered by traditional fossil fuel, the use of hydrogen is expected to replace 103.16 tons of fuel every year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 343.67 tons.

The energy supply station for the Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1 is located at the Yangjiawan Pier downstream of the Three Gorges Project. It is the first inland dock-type hydrogen production and refueling station in China. It utilizes clean electricity generated by the Three Gorges Hydroelectric Power Station to electrolyze water and produce hydrogen. The hydrogen gas is then compressed, stored, dispensed, and supplied to hydrogen-powered vessels.

So far, more than 460 LNG-powered vessels have been operational in China’s inland rivers. Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Hubei have introduced relevant policies to encourage the development of electric ships.

The improvement of shore power systems allows more vessels to use green energy. In the first half of this year, the consumption of shore power in Shanghai, Chongqing and 9 provinces along the Yangtze River Economic Belt exceeded 50 million kilowatt-hours.

Since 2021, nearly 13,000 vessels have been retrofitted, with full coverage of shore power connection capabilities achieved for cruise ships, ro-ro cargo vessels, and container ships.

Whether it is promoting the high-quality development of the water transport industry or accelerating the construction of a green transportation system, green and low-carbon transition in the shipping industry has become an inevitable trend.

“As a major maritime shipping nation, China should seize the key window period from 2020 to 2030 to accelerate the breakthrough in core green ship technologies, and strive to become a strong maritime shipping nation, laying a solid foundation for the industrialization of green ships,” said an official with the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport.

By Cao Shiyun, People’s Daily

The PVS ASEAN Photovoltaic (PV) and Storage Conference and Expo 2023 recently kicked off in Jakarta, Indonesia, with the participation of companies from Indonesia, China, Singapore, and other countries.

The event offered heads of relevant industry organizations, experts, and scholars an opportunity to discuss topics such as the current situation, policy trends, energy transition, and cooperation potential of the ASEAN PV market.

It focused on the PV and energy storage industry, showcasing innovative products and advanced technologies in this sector, including high-efficiency PV modules, portable energy storage products, and household energy storage solutions, among others. These products and technologies cover various scenarios, from daily life to large-scale PV projects in the industrial and commercial sectors.

President Director of PT Adhouse Clarion Events Toerangga Putra noted that this expo served as an important platform to comprehensively showcase the supply and industrial chains of the PV power generation and energy storage industry.

He believes that the expo will help Indonesia to promote clean energy transition and achieve sustainable economic and social development.

China Energy Engineering Group Equipment Co., Ltd. brought to the event a range of high-tech products with independent intellectual property rights, along with a new energy power generation solution.

Based on the development trend of green energy, this solution sources energy primarily from wind and PV power generation, with energy storage as a supplement and diesel generators as the final guarantee. It forms a complete power generation solution suitable for island power stations, campsite power supply, distributed PV power generation, and other application scenarios.

DAS Solar, a new energy technology company from east China’s Zhejiang province, introduced a self-developed lightweight solar panel module at the expo. This module adopts fluorine-containing high molecular transparent front panels instead of glass, which effectively solves the issues of heaviness and difficult installation associated with traditional ones.

The module also possesses excellent properties such as UV resistance, aging resistance, and fire prevention. It has attracted quite a few business representatives to discuss cooperation.

According to the latest data released by the ASEAN Center for Energy, renewable energy accounted for 14.4 percent of the total energy supply in ASEAN countries in 2021, with the installed power generation capacity accounting for 33.9 percent of the total.

From 2016 to 2021, installed solar power generation capacity in ASEAN countries increased by 53 percent. By 2025, the installed capacity of renewable energy may take 35 percent of the total installed capacity in ASEAN countries.

The rapid growth of solar power generation has significantly narrowed the gap between ASEAN countries and the set targets, said a report by the ASEAN Center for Energy.

In recent years, China and ASEAN countries have deepened their cooperation in clean energy and achieved multiple accomplishments. China has actively promoted the establishment of the China-ASEAN Clean Energy Cooperation Center, to facilitate the sharing of clean energy technologies, strengthen financial support, and deepen regional cooperation, contributing to the energy transition and sustainable development in the region.

In early November this year, the Cirata floating solar plant in Indonesia, the largest floating solar plant in Southeast Asia, was connected to the power grid and started running at full capacity. Constructed by a Chinese company, the plant is expected to provide clean electricity to approximately 50,000 households.

China and Vietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding on power and renewable energy cooperation. The cooperation between China and Thailand in the renewable energy sector, including wind power and PV power generation, has also achieved positive results.

Secretary-General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn said that key areas of cooperation between ASEAN and China include offshore wind energy, hydropower, power connectivity, and green transportation. He hoped that both sides would take further actions to jointly promote the green and low-carbon transformation of energy, thereby fostering economic and social development for both parties.

By Gong Ming, Zhang Penghui, Jiang Xiaodan, Luo Aihua, People’s Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum on Dec. 4.

Participants in the event believe that Xi’s letter profoundly expounded on the essence of multilateralism, charted the course for safeguarding and practicing true multilateralism, and injected positive energy into promoting the development of the global governance system in a more fair and reasonable direction.

Xi noted in the letter that since its establishment, the Imperial Springs International Forum has brought together people of insight from all over the world to discuss in depth many issues affecting world peace and stability, sustainable economic development, cultural exchanges and mutual learning, playing a positive role in promoting international cooperation and enhancing closer people-to-people ties.

Former Slovenian President Danilo Turk said that the purpose of the Imperial Springs International Forum is to build a platform for communication and dialogues, to address common challenges through cooperation, and to contribute to global development and security.

The world is currently facing multiple crises that test the resilience of international cooperation, said Turk, who’s also the president of the World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid, adding that the forum this year was dedicated to promoting dialogues and exchanges, advancing multilateralism, and injecting more momentum into world peace and development.

Former Bolivian President Jorge Quiroga said that Xi’s congratulatory letter is inspiring at the current time when global free trade and multilateralism have suffered setbacks.

He hailed the participants in the 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum who engaged in in-depth exchanges, shared their insights, and contributed their wisdom to promoting world peace and development, saying such efforts were very constructive.

Noting the crucial importance of international cooperation for promoting the development of all countries, Quiroga pointed out that the trade between Latin American countries and China has been constantly expanded over recent years.

China has been rapidly developing in areas such as new energy vehicles and electronics manufacturing, creating numerous cooperation opportunities for collaboration between Latin American countries and China in the high-tech manufacturing sector.

Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the Forum of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. China has been actively promoting high-level opening up and negotiating free trade agreements with Latin American countries, which will open up more space for cooperation between the two sides.

The 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum was themed “Multilateralism: More Exchanges, Greater Inclusiveness and Cooperation.” Former Prime Minister of Belgium Yves Leterme said that the Imperial Springs International Forum has always upheld the spirit of sincerity, openness, and mutual respect, and the discussions on topics such as economic globalization, modernization, and multilateralism have been inspiring.

In the face of global challenges, all parties should be more determined to pursue the path of multilateralism, and improve global governance through communication and cooperation, Leterme added.

Facing unprecedented changes in the world, the times, and history, the human society must unite, uphold mutual learning, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, advocate common values of humanity, and jointly build a better world, Xi stressed in the letter.

Peter Loewen, director of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto, stated that addressing current global and regional challenges requires multilateral cooperation.

He said Xi’s congratulatory letter sent a positive signal to the world. China’s commitment to true multilateralism plays a crucial role in global affairs, and it can be said that any multilateral cooperation cannot be separated from China’s participation and contribution, Loewen added.

Wim Peeters, Consul General of Belgium in Guangzhou, said that all countries, regardless of their size, need to exchange and learn from each other, be open and inclusive, and pursue win-win cooperation.

Peeters said that China has played an unparalleled role in promoting global solidarity and cooperation. For instance, China has put forward a series of significant initiatives to encourage countries to coordinate actions in addressing global challenges, and to make the world more open and inclusive.

The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind has been enshrined repeatedly in important documents of the United Nations, gaining increasing recognition internationally, Peeters added.

Former Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga appreciated Xi’s emphasis on practicing true multilateralism, stating that global governance can only be effective when all parties share a common willingness.

China firmly upholds multilateralism, treats all countries equally, and promotes win-win cooperation with Belt and Road countries through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). She said that the Imperial Springs International Forum has become an important platform for international dialogue and exchange.

Zlatko Lagumdzija, former chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, noted that dialogue, cooperation, and mutual learning are needed in today’s world, and advocating for shared values of humanity and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind was the essence of this forum.

It has become a consensus to promote the realization of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and countries should unite and strive to achieve the goals, said Lagumdzija.

The China-proposed BRI, Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative have continuously enhanced cooperation and interaction between China and other countries, which is beneficial for achieving the SDGs and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

An international symposium marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was held in Beijing on Dec. 5.

Both Chinese and foreign participants in the symposium had in-depth discussions on the historical significance and contemporary value of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, advocating for safeguarding human rights through enhancing security, advancing human rights through development and facilitating human rights through cooperation. Together, they have further injected positive energy into the human rights development of the world.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is of great significance for the development of human civilization. It has a profound impact on human rights advancement across the world.

It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948, and over the past 75 years, the international community has worked relentlessly toward the goal envisaged in the Declaration. The promotion and protection of human rights has taken deep root in people’s hearts. The international human rights system has been improved. And countries around the world have taken more effective measures to promote and protect human rights.

Participants in the symposium noted that the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights should serve as an opportunity to uphold the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, strengthen dialogue and cooperation, foster consensus, and promote the healthy development of the global human rights cause.

China is an active advocate of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government have always considered the promotion and protection of human rights to be essential. Applying the principle of universality of human rights to China’s national realities, the country has made leapfrog progress in its human rights cause. It has opened a new path for human rights development that adapts to the changing times and suits its national conditions.

Since the country entered the new era, China has prioritized respecting and protecting human rights as an important aspect of national governance and scored a series of new, historic achievements.

China has eradicated absolute poverty, once and for all, on its land. It has established the world’s largest education, social security, and health care systems. China has further advanced its socialist democracy, and steadily improved its whole-process people’s democracy, creating more forms of democracy and expanding channels for democracy. China has also improved its legal system to fully protect the rights of women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

China has taken a people-centered approach to human rights. It safeguards and improves people’s livelihoods and protects and promotes human rights through development, and makes sure that development is for the people and by the people, and that its fruits are shared among the people. It is continuing its work so that the people will have a greater sense of happiness, benefit and security, and achieve well-rounded development.

Syldie Manirerekana, assistant to Burundi’s minister of foreign affairs and development cooperation, said China’s human rights philosophy and its practice can provide good reference for others.

Taking an active part in global human rights governance, China has made its contribution to and provided Chinese solutions for the development of the global cause of human rights.

Currently, global human rights governance is facing grave challenges. A few countries are practicing double standards, politicizing, weaponizing and instrumentalizing human rights issues, which seriously impedes the healthy development of the international human rights cause.

China always follows the spirit of the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It has substantially participated in the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council and other multilateral human rights bodies, and has contributed to the adoption of major international human rights conventions and declarations.

China’s vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind has been incorporated in a number of United Nations Human Rights Council resolutions, providing a Chinese approach to international protection of human rights. China has carried out exchanges and cooperation with United Nations human rights mechanisms and with over 30 countries and regions, contributing to global human rights progress.

Luis Delgado, academic director of Venezuela’s Center for Higher Studies in Development and Emerging Economies, said that China has proposed a series of concepts and initiatives advocating that all countries work together to steer global human rights governance toward greater fairness, justice, equity and inclusiveness, which will make positive contribution to achieving more fair and sustainable global human rights governance.

There is no one-size-fits-all path to human rights development in the world. All countries deserve the right to independently choose their own path of advancing human rights. Different civilizations and countries need to respect, accommodate, interact with and learn from each other.

It is a historical responsibility that the international community fulfill the goal of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights together. All parties must promote common security and create a secure and tranquil international environment for realizing human rights; prioritize development to provide a more solid material foundation for realizing human rights; engage in exchanges and mutual learning to provide more choices of routes to human rights advancement; uphold equity and justice to provide a more effective platform of cooperation for realizing human rights.

China is willing to, on the basis of equality and mutual respect, engage in human rights dialogue and cooperation, expand consensus, reduce differences, learn from each other, and make joint progress together with all parties, so as to promote the international human rights cause and benefit people around the world.

The full enjoyment of human rights by all people has long been an ambitious dream of humanity. China will continue to promote and protect human rights, participate in global human rights governance, act on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and champion humanity’s common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, striving for greater progress in human rights in the world.

By Luo Aihua, Zhang Penghui, Gong Ming, Jiang Xiaodan, People’s Daily

The 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum was held in Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong province from Dec. 3 to 5.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the event, stressing that facing unprecedented changes in the world, the times, and history, the human society must unite, uphold mutual learning, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, advocate common values of humanity, and jointly build a better world.

The 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum, themed “Multilateralism: More Exchanges, Greater Inclusiveness and Cooperation,” was jointly held by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, the Guangdong provincial government, and the World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid.

More than 130 guests from political, academic, and business circles in over 40 countries gathered at the forum, where they had in-depth exchanges on topics such as the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, economic recovery and global cooperation, and the realization of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

They called on all parties to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, practice true multilateralism, and further improve global governance, to jointly create a better future. A declaration was released at the forum.

The world has entered a new period of turbulence and change. The momentum of world economic growth is sluggish. Destabilizing, uncertain and unpredictable factors are increasing.

Guests attending the forum believe that in the face of the global economic setback, it is crucial for all parties to jointly resist the trend of anti-globalization, oppose “decoupling and severing industrial and supply chains,” and promote the building of an open world economy.

The world needs competition, but it more needs cooperation, said former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, adding that economic development is not a zero-sum game, as all countries can benefit from global economic growth.

He emphasized that humankind, by living in the same global village, needs to pay more attention to addressing inequality and promoting inclusive growth.

China’s development achievements have had a positive impact on various regions of the world, including Europe, said Esko Aho, former Prime Minister of Finland, who has long been observing China’s economic development.

China has created a remarkable development miracle, which once again proves that adhering to open development is the key to fully utilizing resources and seizing development opportunities, Aho said.

He noted that it is important to further understand that building an open world economy and stimulating global economic vitality is beneficial to all countries.

Zou Ciyong, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, stated that the global economic growth rate is still hovering at a low level, and issues such as geopolitical divisions, climate change, and the widening wealth gap are all affecting the global economic development.

It is necessary for all parties to comprehensively assess the factors affecting global economic growth, promote technological transformation, foster green development, improve global governance, and jointly lead the world economy into a new phase of growth, he stressed.

The only choice to address the problems facing humanity is to uphold and practice true multilateralism, safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, and promote the establishment of a more effective, inclusive, and fair multilateral cooperation mechanism, said Danilo Turk, president of the World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid and former President of Slovenia

Global issues and challenges are intricate and complex, and there are no simple solutions, remarked Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway.

According to Bondevik, major countries must act responsibly, and the meeting between the Chinese and U.S. heads of state in San Francisco has sent a positive signal to the world. The international community does not want to see conflict or confrontation between China and the United States, and the two countries should demonstrate their potential for cooperation, which is beneficial and important for the world.

Besides, all parties need to deepen cooperation at the United Nations and other international organizations, as well as at the regional level, and take more effective actions, Bondevik added.

Siddharth Chatterjee, the UN Development System Resident Coordinator in China, stressed the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Upholding multilateralism and strengthening solidarity and cooperation is not an optional choice but a necessary one.

Addressing water and air pollution requires cross-border collaboration, and tackling climate change also requires countries to share clean energy technologies and practices, he explained.

Where humanity should be headed is the question of the world, of history and of the times. To answer this, China has proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

Guests attending the 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum noted that China adheres to true multilateralism and these new concepts and initiatives contribute Chinese wisdom and strength to deepening practical cooperation, promoting common development, and safeguarding world peace.

Zlatko Lagumdzija, former chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, noted that currently, traditional and non-traditional security challenges are intertwined on a global scale, affecting the well-being of people worldwide. China’s proposal to build a community with a shared future for mankind provides an important insight for the world, he added.

Former secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Vladimir Norov, said that China is committed to solidarity and cooperation and has fulfilled its responsibility as a major country in international affairs, making significant contributions to regional and global peace and development.

By Han Xin, People’s Daily

Focusing on low-carbon and clean energy, China’s shipbuilding industry has made significant progress in the development of green vessels this year.

In the first half of the year, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. delivered a total of nine large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, with new orders exceeding 20 billion yuan ($2.81 billion). Chinese shipbuilding companies now hold a 35 percent market share in the global market of large LNG carriers.

In the field of power batteries, the world’s largest pure-electric container ship, with a capacity of 700 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and built by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Yangzhou) Co., Ltd., has been launched. This pure-electric vessel boasts a range of 380 kilometers.

Henan Diesel Engine Industry Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, has successfully ignited a methanol fuel engine it independently developed. The first domestically produced methanol dual-fuel low-speed engine is expected to be launched in 2025.

Different technological pathways are driven by the same philosophy of green development. “Green ships refer to vessels that reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions through advanced technologies or the use of clean energy sources,” said an official with the Water Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Transport.

According to the official, green ships are environmentally friendly. They produce only a small amount of pollutant or the pollutant they emit can be effectively disposed of. Besides, they are also highly energy-efficient and often incorporate advanced technologies or clean energy sources to enhance their green performance.

As the world’s largest shipbuilder, China has been closely following the trend of green and low-carbon development in the shipbuilding industry in recent years. Thanks to the rapid development of new energy and clean energy vessels, the proportion of green vessels has steadily increased.

Currently, about 15.6 percent of newly built ships delivered from China are fueled by new energy and clean energy. Among new orders, this proportion reaches around 50 percent. With the implementation of various emission reduction measures around the world, the two figures are expected to continue expanding.

Why are the shipbuilding industry and the shipping sector turning their attention to green power?

On one hand, green vessels can effectively promote emission reduction in the shipping industry.

“Currently, over 80 percent of global trade is carried out through maritime shipping, and green and low-carbon transition has become an inevitable trend in the development of the shipping industry,” said an official with the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport.

In July of this year, the International Maritime Organization adopted a new strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions in international shipping sector by around 2050. The use of green alternative fuels is an important pathway to achieve emission reduction.

On the other hand, the green transformation of ships will also effectively promote the upgrading of passenger and cargo vessels.

Green vessels are an important means of transportation for passengers and goods, and their development plays a key role in accelerating the phasing out and upgrading of old ships, promoting the construction of green supporting facilities in ports, and upgrading water transportation infrastructure standards,” explained an official with.the Water Transport Bureau, Ministry of Transport.

On Oct. 11, China’s first-ever hydrogen fuel cell-powered boat, the Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1, completed its maiden voyage in Hubei province. It marked a breakthrough in the application of hydrogen fuel cells in inland waterway. Compared to ships powered by traditional fossil fuel, the use of hydrogen is expected to replace 103.16 tons of fuel every year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 343.67 tons.

The energy supply station for the Three Gorges Hydrogen Boat 1 is located at the Yangjiawan Pier downstream of the Three Gorges Project. It is the first inland dock-type hydrogen production and refueling station in China. It utilizes clean electricity generated by the Three Gorges Hydroelectric Power Station to electrolyze water and produce hydrogen. The hydrogen gas is then compressed, stored, dispensed, and supplied to hydrogen-powered vessels.

So far, more than 460 LNG-powered vessels have been operational in China’s inland rivers. Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Hubei have introduced relevant policies to encourage the development of electric ships.

The improvement of shore power systems allows more vessels to use green energy. In the first half of this year, the consumption of shore power in Shanghai, Chongqing and 9 provinces along the Yangtze River Economic Belt exceeded 50 million kilowatt-hours.

Since 2021, nearly 13,000 vessels have been retrofitted, with full coverage of shore power connection capabilities achieved for cruise ships, ro-ro cargo vessels, and container ships.

Whether it is promoting the high-quality development of the water transport industry or accelerating the construction of a green transportation system, green and low-carbon transition in the shipping industry has become an inevitable trend.

“As a major maritime shipping nation, China should seize the key window period from 2020 to 2030 to accelerate the breakthrough in core green ship technologies, and strive to become a strong maritime shipping nation, laying a solid foundation for the industrialization of green ships,” said an official with the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport.