CCS and Industry Partners Jointly Release New Energy-Powered Vessel Types for Domestic Navigation 2026

On July 11, 2026, China Classification Society (CCS) released New Energy-Powered Vessel Types for Domestic Navigation 2026 at the China Maritime Day Forum. The publication analyzes the development pathways of fuel technologies for inland and coastal shipping and, in collaboration with industry partners, presents technical solutions for eight representative new energy vessel types tailored for key waterways. It provides a reference for decision-making, demonstrating and spearheading the green and intelligent transformation and upgrading of the shipping sector.

Background

Driven jointly by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) carbon neutrality target and China’s “dual-carbon” goals, the shipping industry is accelerating its transition toward green and low-carbon development.

At present and for a period to come, clean energy for shipping in China will see a landscape where multiple technology routes including batteries, methanol, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) develop in parallel. Leveraging China’s industrial and technological strengths, CCS believes that battery and methanol can serve as important marine fuel technology pathways for China’s inland and coastal shipping sectors.

Based on the principle of “seaworthiness, port compatibility, and cargo suitability”, and taking into account environmental and economic factors, CCS, together with relevant industry partners, has released technical solutions for eight representative new energy-powered vessel types for key waterways, offering options for the shipping market.

Released Vessel Types

600-Passenger Methanol-Powered Yangtze River Luxury Cruise Ship

Designer: Chongqing Changhang Ship Design and Research Institute

Principal dimensions (m): 149.99 × 23.2 × 4.7

Primary Operating Waterway: Yangtze River main line

This is the first Yangtze River luxury passenger cruise vessel equipped with a methanol fuel propulsion system. It overcomes key technical challenges associated with methanol bunkering, tank storage, compartment ventilation, and venting control. While ensuring ship safety, the design maximizes passenger-use areas and balances navigational safety with cruise operation quality. While ensuring vessel safety, the design maximizes the passenger use area, balancing navigation safety with cruise operation quality. The vessel adopts a methanol direct-injection single-fuel main engine, achieving a methanol substitution rate of approximately 90% and reducing fuel costs by nearly 30%. It integrates multiple core technologies, such as integrated cruise comfort configuration, novel vessel type development, emission reduction and intelligent equipment R&D, comprehensively enhancing habitability, environmental indicators and intelligent capabilities. It is expected to be awarded the following class notations: Green Ship-3, EEDI-3, COMF (NOISE-3), COMF (VIB-3), and i-Ship (E).

18,000 DWT Methanol-Electric Hybrid Bulk Carrier

Designer: Shanghai Bestway Marine Technology Development Co., Ltd and others

Principal dimensions (m): 139.80 × 25.60 × 8.0

Primary Operating Waterway: Yangtze River main line

This vessel type combines the technical advantages of green low-carbon, intelligent equipment, and economical operation. It is equipped with a methanol single-fuel plus methanol-electric hybrid propulsion system, optimizing power response characteristics and improving adaptability to complex operating conditions on the Yangtze River, with an estimated CO？ emission reduction of over 8%. Through refined design based on goal-based standards, combined with hull form optimization and the application of high-efficiency propulsion units, the steel weight of the hull is reduced by 3.24% compared to the baseline vessel, significantly improving overall navigation performance. The vessel is equipped with intelligent navigation and berthing/unberthing assistance systems, effectively enhancing safety during navigation and mooring operations in complex waterways and adverse weather conditions. Compared with vessels of the same size powered entirely by diesel, fuel operating costs are expected to drop by more than 25%. It is expected to be awarded class notations including Green Ship-2.

5,000 DWT LNG-Powered Pinglu Canal Demonstration Vessel

Designer: Guangxi CSSC Beibu Gulf Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Design Co., Ltd.

Principal dimensions (m): 90.0 × 15.8 × 6.1

Primary Operating Waterway: Pinglu Canal

Designed primarily for operation on the Pinglu Canal main line, this vessel type follows five design principles: safety, energy efficiency, green, intelligence, and home-like comfort. The selection of main parameters such as principal dimensions and deadweight tonnage fully considers the requirements for seaworthiness, port compatibility and cargo suitability for vessels navigating the Pinglu Canal. The vessel adopts an LNG single-fuel power system and is designed and built to meet the application requirements for an intelligent integrated platform, intelligent machinery, autonomous navigation, automatic berthing/unberthing and remote control, achieving an integrated demonstration of intelligent shipping with coordinated ship-port-lock operations along the Pinglu Canal. It is expected to be awarded green and intelligent class notations including Green Ship-3 and i-Ship (N, E).

73 m Electric Multi-Purpose Vessel with Smart Wheelhouse

Designer: Shandong Xinneng Ship Technology Co., Ltd.

Principal dimensions (m): 73 × 13.76 × 5.1

Primary Operating Waterway: Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal

This vessel type is adapted to the navigation conditions and mainline cargo transport demands of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. It adopts an all-electric propulsion solution, achieving zero carbon emissions and low-noise operation during voyages, with outstanding environmental performance. The ship is equipped with a modular containerized battery system and features a 15-minute rapid battery swap process, ensuring efficient and convenient swapping, along with comprehensive intelligent configurations. By replacing oil with electricity, the operating costs are reduced by over 40% compared to conventional fuel-powered ships. With design deadweight of about 3,000 t and a range of up to 200 km, it serves as a benchmark vessel type for the green transformation and upgrading of inland shipping on the Grand Canal. The ship’s power equipment and smart wheelhouse have obtained CCS product certification. It is expected to be awarded class notations including BRC and Green Ship-3.

1,000 TEU Methanol Dual-Fuel River-Sea Container Ship

Designer: Shanghai Bestway Marine Engineering Research & Design Co., Ltd.

Principal dimensions (m): 139.9 × 24.0 × 13.0

Primary Operating Waterway: Designated river-sea direct routes

This is currently the largest river-sea container ship by deadweight built or under construction in China. It is equipped with a methanol dual-fuel power system, integrating energy-saving devices such as a high-efficiency propeller, propeller boss cap fins and a shaft generator. Through coordinated optimization of the hull lines and general arrangement, it achieves excellent overall energy efficiency and green performance. The vessel is fitted with a four-cylinder oscillating cylinder steering gear and a bow thruster, significantly enhancing navigational stability in adverse weather and complex waterways, as well as maneuverability during berthing and unberthing. The cargo holds are equipped with container cell guides, fully adapting to the efficient loading and unloading demands of smart ports. The vessel is qualified to carry dangerous goods of classes 1 to 9 except class 7. About 100 reefer plugs are provided on the deck, greatly increasing cargo stowage flexibility. Its overall performance indicators and technical features are at the leading level among similar vessel types in China. It is expected to be awarded class notations including Methanol Fuel and AUT-1 (Automation-1).

20 m Electric City Tourist Ship

Designer: Shanghai Maritime University

Principal Dimensions (m): 20.6 × 5.2 × 1.3

Primary Operating Waterway: Urban rivers

This is a city sightseeing vessel integrating waterborne transport and tourism functions, suitable for Shanghai’s Suzhou Creek and similar urban inland waterways. With a passenger capacity of 37 and nighttime operation capability, it is equipped with a pure battery electric propulsion system, achieving zero emissions and zero pollution throughout its operation. The exterior design incorporates tech-aesthetic concepts, featuring a panoramic retractable glass canopy structure that can flexibly switch between enclosed cruising and open-air sightseeing modes, balancing all-weather navigability with scenic view requirements. Compared with traditional diesel-powered vessels, its operating costs are significantly lower, and it offers technical advantages such as low noise, no vibration and smooth operation. The vessel has already obtained CCS class notations Tourist Ship and Battery (Power) and is a demonstrative vessel leading green and smart water tourism in China.

160 TEU Methanol-Powered Container Ship

Designer: Yihang New Energy Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.

Principal Dimensions (m): 88.0 × 13.72 × 5.9

Primary Operating Waterway: Coastal waters and Xiaoqing River

This is a standardized new energy vessel adapted for the Xiaoqing River and coastal waters, integrating green, advanced, intelligent and economic features. It relies on a single methanol generator set plus a lithium battery pack with an AC intelligent network, featuring strong system safety and significantly reduced crew skill requirements. Coupled with a self-developed EMS system, it overcomes the soft response characteristics of methanol generator sets, realizing high-efficiency economic operation while eliminating dependence on shore power. Equipped with an intelligent visual perception system, it pushes intelligence toward unmanned operation. Using green methanol fuel, the vessel can achieve near-zero carbon emissions over its full life cycle and reduces operating costs by 30%. It is expected to be awarded the Green Ship class notation.

8,600 m3 LNG Bunkering/Transport Ship

Designer: China Ship Design & Research Center Co., Ltd (CSDC)

Principal dimensions (m): 119.3 × 19.8 × 11.0

Primary operating waterway: Coastal waters

This vessel type is an upgrade based on the original 8,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel, precisely designed to meet the growing demand of the LNG fuel supply chain. It is equipped with a power system primarily consisting of four L20DF LNG dual-fuel generators, two pulling-type azimuth electric thrusters and a bow thruster, ensuring high maneuverability and operational flexibility while offering excellent redundancy and propulsion efficiency. The vessel adopts an independent type B cargo tank, combined with a proprietary patented support system, resulting in a low boil-off rate and convenient construction. Additionally, two cryogenic reliquefaction units are installed to effectively reduce evaporation losses, further enhancing the vessel’s economic benefits. It is expected to be awarded the green ecological class notations including G-EP and G-ECO.

Next, CCS will work with the industry to build a spectrum of typical new energy-powered vessel types for domestic waterways, facilitate the optimization and adjustment of the domestic water transport structure, and comprehensively boost the high-quality development of the shipping industry.

For further needs and comments, please contact the CCS Technical Support to Survey Department at sd@ccs.org.cn.