The Ministry of Transport and two other departments jointly advance the application of inland new energy ships.

Recently, the Ministry of Transport, together with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the National Energy Administration, jointly issued the “Action Plan for the Promotion and Application of Inland River New Energy Ships (2026–2030)” (referred to as the “Plan”). The plan aims to double the number of inland river new energy ships compared to 2025 levels by 2028, achieve preliminary full-scenario demonstration applications, and establish main green shipping corridors and electric ship pioneer regions such as the Yangtze River Delta. A 3,000-kilometer zero-carbon waterway transportation corridor will be built, with new energy ships realizing scaled application by 2030.

The “Plan” sets goals to optimize the structures of China's industries, energy, and transportation, adhering to market leadership and policy guidance and focusing on scenario-driven innovation breakthroughs. Based on the orderly development of liquefied natural gas-powered ships, the priority is to promote the full-scenario application, full-chain support, and high-standard development of inland river electric and methanol-powered ships. This will invigorate new green and low-carbon development momentum in inland navigation, cultivate new growth points in transportation consumption, and support the modernization of the comprehensive transportation system.

From exploratory pilot projects to promotion and application

Inland river navigation is a vital part of the comprehensive transportation system and a key area for green and low-carbon transformation.

Promoting the development of new energy ships is an important measure to implement the strategic decisions of the Party Central Committee and the State Council on carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. It accelerates the establishment of a powerful transportation, manufacturing, and energy nation and contributes to the comprehensive green transformation of the energy system and socio-economic development.

Currently, the total number of inland river new energy and clean energy ships in China ranks among the world's leaders, with electric ship application levels being globally advanced. By the end of 2025, China’s inland river new energy and clean energy fleet is expected to exceed 1,200 vessels. Nationally significant high-tech new energy ships, including the 700-TEU electric container ship “COSCO Green Water 01,” the world’s largest electricity capacity 10,000-ton pure electric transport ship “Gezhouba,” and the 10,000-ton methanol-powered ship “Innovation 19,” have been put into operation.

In terms of operational models, various regions have leveraged their advantages and boldly innovated, creating multiple replicable “good practices, good experiences, and good models.” For example, Hubei and Fujian explored the “ship-electricity separation” commercial model, developing vessel battery exchange construction and operation; Shandong utilized the advantages of energy chain enterprises to establish a new integrated development model of “shipbuilding, shipping, ports, and trade.”

“While recognizing our achievements, we must also soberly acknowledge that the share of new energy ships among the nationwide inland waterways fleet remains low. Overall, we are still in the critical phase of transitioning from pilot exploration to scale demonstration applications. More efforts are needed in improving cost-effectiveness, enhancing support infrastructure, and upgrading technical equipment,” stated a relevant official from the Ministry of Transport's Water Transport Bureau.

Focus on batteries and methanol power to create zero-carbon demonstration routes

On June 30th this year, the maiden voyage of the “Ningyuan Dianpeng” ship, fully loaded with containers and departing from Zhejiang’s Jiaxing Port Dushan Port Area to Ningbo-Zhoushan Port Jintang Port Area, marked the opening of the country’s first sea-river intermodal zero-carbon route. It is estimated that the route can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 4,800 tons per year and save logistics costs of over 7.4 million yuan annually.

This is a snapshot of China’s green and low-carbon transformation of inland waterway navigation.

To fully leverage the comparative advantages of different energy sources, the “Plan” proposes focusing on batteries and methanol power while promoting the categorized application of multiple scenarios. Efforts will be accelerated to apply electric ships in passenger and freight scenarios within 300 kilometers and under 3,000-ton capacities. The use of battery power is encouraged in public service ships, port operating vessels, yachts, etc. Methanol-powered ships will be promoted for long-distance and large-tonnage scenarios. Further exploration of hydrogen energy and other forms of energy is encouraged. The application of biodiesel, green methanol, and other renewable energy resources in ships is also endorsed.

In terms of accelerating the application of methanol-powered vessels, the Yangtze River trunk line will focus on building zero-carbon demonstration routes for containers, bulk cargo, and roll-on/roll-off transport, such as Chongqing-Shanghai, Chongqing-Yichang, and Ma’anshan-Ningbo. Methanol refueling facilities will be constructed in areas including Chongqing, Yichang, Wuhan, and Nanjing. For the Xijiang shipping trunk, support will be provided to establish zero-carbon demonstration routes for bulk cargo, including Nanning-Guangzhou and Wuzhou-Guangzhou.

Concerning multi-scenario applications of electric ships, accelerated efforts will focus on the construction of a pioneer zone for ship electrification in the Yangtze River Delta. Key zero-carbon demonstration routes for containers and bulk cargo will include Suzhou-Shanghai, Huzhou-Shanghai, Huzhou-Taicang, Huzhou-Jiaxing, Hangzhou-Jiaxing, Suqian-Lianyungang, Changzhou-Zhenjiang, Jining-Xuzhou-Nanjing, and Hangzhou-Ningbo. The application of standardized and serial ship models will be promoted, with coordinated construction of charging and battery replacement facilities in key navigation sections such as the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal, Long-Lian Canal, Changhu-Shenzhen Line, and Hujia-Shenzhen Line.

It was introduced that the next step will involve coordinated efforts to establish ship charging and methanol refueling facilities at ports or service areas along waterways. Tailored construction plans will be introduced for integrated facilities combining wind power, solar power, energy storage, charging, and refueling systems, gradually forming “two horizontal, one vertical, and two networks” for zero-carbon waterway transportation corridors.

Industrial synergy strengthens full-chain support

The green ship industry entails lengthy industrial chain processes and involves multiple stakeholders, covering ship construction, energy supply, port facilities, and shipping services. Relying solely on a single entity cannot achieve breakthrough advancements.

The “Plan” proposes strengthening the full-chain support for inland new energy ships, enhancing energy supply guarantees, encouraging innovative business models, strengthening manufacturing industry support, and optimizing operational management.

To accelerate the construction of energy replenishment facilities and efficiently utilize shoreline resources, the “Plan” proposes enhancing coordination of methanol refueling and production-supply-storage-sales layout. Methanol refueling facilities can be located at port-supported shorelines or water service areas and expanded to offer integrated energy services at existing water refueling and gas stations (berthing ships) or water service areas. Efforts to establish standardized shore-based charging facilities, research mobile charging and battery exchange methods, and explore fuel ethanol applications are encouraged. Local governments are advised to plan and construct charging infrastructure for electric ships, incorporating energy demands into grid planning. Investment in off-grid power distribution facilities, distributed energy resources like wind and solar generation, and their connections to ship charging facilities should be increased.

Full-chain support is also reflected in various aspects. Exploring new integrated development modes for the full chain, encouraging the development of ship-electricity separation, battery banking, and other new business models, along with the establishment of long-term stable price mechanisms tied to conventional energy. Green ship type directories specific to different water regions and scenarios will be released, promoting modular and standardized designs. Ships will be constructed in series and in bulk, fostering benchmark leading companies in the shipbuilding and supporting industries to achieve high-standard manufacturing. Local adaptation measures will be encouraged, providing support policies for new energy ships passing through locks, berths, and loading/unloading docks. Efficient and lawful services such as ship inspections, ship registration, and operational certification will be provided. Optimization of training systems for new energy ship crew members will also be promoted. These measures aim to gather industrial synergy and drive faster development of new energy ships.

Improving technical specifications to enhance ship-shore integration and resource-sharing

Aiming for high-standard development goals for inland river new energy ships, the “Plan” proposes improving standard specifications, perfecting supervision and management systems, and enhancing efforts in key technological breakthroughs.

Next steps include establishing technical specifications for methanol fuel refueling berthing vessels and safety procedures for refueling operations on water. Improved guidelines for electric ship technologies, optimization of battery capacity, types, and inspection requirements will also be pursued to enhance ship-shore integration and foster resource sharing.

At the same time, differentiated safety management will be implemented for new energy ships, building a regulatory service system encompassing “design-construction-operation.” Ship inspection technologies will be innovated to improve digital intelligence levels. Ship construction inspections will be intensified to ensure adherence to technical specifications. Regulations such as new energy ship inspection guidelines will be enforced, while the development and data integration for a nationwide new energy ship operation monitoring system will be promoted.

Regarding addressing key technological challenges, the “Plan” proposes accelerating the construction of technological innovation platforms related to new energy ships and supporting the formation of technology innovation alliances. Research and verification of critical components for methanol-powered ships should be sped up, including battery pack structural optimization and heat runaway protection technologies. Core technologies like ultra-high-power fast charging, high energy density and high safety long-cycle power batteries, lightweight and miniaturized battery modules, hydrogen/ammonia-fuel power and storage systems, and reliable direct current integrated power systems should be pursued actively.

To ensure effective implementation of various tasks, the “Plan” also proposes strengthening policy support by utilizing central and local funding channels and increasing financial support for the construction and operation of methanol, electricity, and other new energy ships and energy replenishment facilities. Local governments are encouraged to research regional energy support policies for electric ships. The promotion of new energy ships will be integrated into provincial carbon peaking and carbon neutrality comprehensive evaluations. Efforts will be made to streamline the approval process, operational management requirements, and policy issuance by local governments. Pilot projects for the promotion of new energy ships as part of the transportation power special trials will be launched with a focus on typical scenarios. Organizational implementation will be strengthened by cross-departmental coordination, linking departments, local governments, and enterprises to formulate implementation plans for the Yangtze River and Xijiang shipping green corridors.

From pilot demonstrations to fully operational fleets, China’s green development of inland river ships has entered a critical stage of rapid progress. A beautiful picture of flowing rivers and green vessels riding the waves is unfolding.