In a landmark achievement for sustainable maritime transport, China launched the “Gezhouba”, the world’s largest all-electric bulk carrier, on the Yangtze River near Zigui County on October 19. With a deadweight tonnage of 10,000 tons, this vessel represents a major breakthrough in China’s green shipping revolution, achieving significant technological advancements in pure-electric propulsion and intelligent systems that signal a transformative shift for global inland waterway transportation.

　　The vessel measures 129.98 meters in length, 22 meters in beam, and 7.7 meters in depth, with a designed draft of 6.5 meters. It boasts a maximum deadweight capacity of 13,740 tons, making it China’s highest-capacity electric bulk carrier. Its power system features an impressive 24,000 kWh battery capacity—the largest of any inland electric vessel worldwide—supporting both rapid charging and battery swapping capabilities. With a single charge enabling voyages of up to 500 kilometers, the ship sets new standards for electric vessel performance.

　　A leading maritime technology analyst commented that the launch of the “Gezhouba” represents not merely a single product innovation, but more significantly, demonstrates breakthroughs and successful integration of core technologies including new energy propulsion and intelligent driving control. Moreover, it provides a crucial “Chinese approach” and establishes an innovative paradigm for the green and low-carbon transformation of global inland waterway transportation. (Reporters/Yang Jing and Yang Chunyan)