10,000-Ton Electric Container Ship with Autonomous Navigation Testing

Key Takeaways

1. China has begun sea trials for the Ning Yuan Dian Kun, the world’s largest fully electric container ship, weighing 10,000 tons.
2. The ship is 127.8 meters long, can carry 740 TEU, and operates on 10 containerized batteries with a total capacity of 19,000 kWh.
3. It features a versatile recharging system, including high-voltage shore power and battery container swapping, along with a photovoltaic system for solar energy.
4. The vessel is equipped with an advanced autonomous navigation system for route planning and collision avoidance, currently undergoing performance evaluations.
5. After trials, the ship will join the Ningbo Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd. fleet, operating feeder routes at Ningbo-Zhoushan port, with a sister ship planned to follow.

China has started sea trials for the Ning Yuan Dian Kun, the biggest fully electric container ship in the world. This impressive vessel, built by Jiangxi Jiangxin Shipbuilding, weighs 10,000 tons and left its dock in Hukou County on February 1 after passing initial mooring tests. It’s now undergoing strict performance evaluations near Shanghai, with trials set to take place from February 6 to February 13.

Specifications and Features

The ship is 127.8 meters (420 feet) long and can carry 740 TEU, showcasing a major advancement in eco-friendly short-sea shipping. It operates on 10 containerized batteries that have a combined capacity of 19,000 kWh, powering two 875 kW permanent magnet motors that can reach a top speed of 11.5 knots.

Innovative Technology

One of the ship’s remarkable features is its versatility. It can recharge using high-voltage shore power or swap battery containers to reduce downtime. Additionally, it has a photovoltaic system that captures solar energy for extra power.

In terms of intelligence, the vessel is quite advanced. The trials will assess its autonomous navigation system, which is responsible for route planning and avoiding collisions. After its delivery, the ship will be part of the Ningbo Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd. fleet, operating feeder routes at the Ningbo-Zhoushan port. This will be the first of two ships commissioned by the company, with its sister ship, the Ning Yuan Dian Peng, planned to follow soon.

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