On June 30, the 10,000-ton pure electric bulk carrier “Gezhouba” successfully completed a series of real-vessel functional tests, including remote control system trials, in Guizhou section of the main channel of the Yangtze River in Zigui.

　　Developed under the leadership of China Three Gorges Corporation in collaboration with multiple domestic research institutions, the vessel features 100% domestically produced components. Measuring 129.98 meters in length, it has a maximum cargo capacity of 13,740 metric tons and is equipped with an intelligent control system that integrates 4G, 5G, BeiDou and satellite communications.

　　The ship is powered by 12 lithium battery containerized units with a total energy capacity of 24,000 kWh. Its innovative design allows a full battery swap in just 10 minutes, delivering a cruising range of 500 kilometers, effectively overcoming the long-standing bottlenecks of slow charging and limited range that have plagued electric vessels on inland waterways. Once in full operation, the vessel is expected to replace approximately 617.5 metric tons of fuel oil and cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 2,052 metric tons annually.

　　During the trials, the vessel successfully completed a series of maneuvering tests, including remote-controlled berthing and unberthing, overtaking and turning. The results validated both the reliability of its propulsion system and the feasibility of its remote maneuvering technology. This successful trial provides a practical and replicable model for the large-scale deployment of zero-carbon smart cargo vessels onthe Yangtze River.(Sanxia Daily: Reporters/Wang Ying, Correspondents/Hu Wei and Huang Liu)