China launches 'world's largest' electric container ship with 50,000 kWh battery capacity

China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO), a state-owned Multinational conglomerate located in Shanghai has launched a river-to-sea electric container ship that the company claims to be the “world’s largest”. Established as a subsidiary in 2016 after an approved merger between COSCO and China Shipping, the company specialises in marine transport.

The Green Water 01 is a massive 10,000-ton+ fully electric vessel that is now a benchmark in sustainability in the marine logistics industry, and the services have already begun in China. As for now, regular operations are set to take place between Shanghai and Nanjing. The route covers close to 1,000 kilometres without needing recharge anywhere in the middle, along the Yangtze River.

Greenwater 01 is 120 metres long and 24 metres wide, with a battery capacity of 50,000 kWh, which can be expanded up to 80,000 kWh if need be. This is also the reason why the batteries are placed in particular containers that can be charged in the harbour or exchanged by cranes.

Given the battery-electric drive, the container ship is expected to save 3,900 kilograms of fuel per 100 nautical miles (185.2 kilometres) and reduce CO2 emissions by 12.4 tonnes. The cargo capacity of the Greenwater 01 is 700 TEU, with one TEU corresponding to a 20-foot standard container.

The COSCO Group is the largest liner carrier in China, transporting container vessels on daily basis, while also providing ships to Chinese automakers in order to help them export their electric vehicles to new markets overseas.

According to Cosco, the Greenwater 01 not only sets world record for its length, width and load capacity of a battery-electric ship, but also for container capacity.

“The 700 TEU electric container ship is the world’s first large all-battery container ship for long-distance transport,” Cosco Shipping stated in March 2023. Adding, “After construction, this series of ships will be put into operation on the Yangtze River. It will realise the green modernisation of the golden waterway and provide the experience and solutions of key state-owned enterprises for China’s inland and coastal shipping industry to reduce emissions.”

According to the group, this project will serve as a benchmark model for future environmentally friendly shipping projects. The company has also been working on building a second electric container ship since May 2023.