China's first hydrogen electric tugboat put into service at Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province, June 26, 2025. /VCG

Guided by its "dual carbon" goal to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, China is actively building a green, low-carbon and efficient water transportation system as an important part of promoting its green development strategy.

At a press conference on Friday, the Ministry of Transport reported significant advancements in the adoption of greener fuels in inland water transport.

The country now has more than 1,000 new energy- and clean energy-powered vessels operating nationwide.

Vice Transport Minister Fu Xuyin stated that, as of the end of 2024, the country had over 600 liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels and 485 battery-powered electric vessels, as well as four methanol fuel-powered ships and two hydrogen fuel cell-powered ships in service.

Yang Huaxiong, director general of the Water Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Transport, highlighted the importance of maritime shipping to China's position as the world's largest trading nation, noting that a strong maritime sector is vital for building a powerful ocean and trade nation.

COSCO SHIPPING Yangpu, the country's first domestically built 16,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel container ship. /China Media Group

A notable achievement in China's green maritime progress has been the recent delivery of COSCO SHIPPING Yangpu, the country's first domestically built 16,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) methanol dual-fuel container ship.

The 366-meter-long vessel features an ultra-large 11,000-cubic-meter methanol storage tank, enabling a one-way voyage from the Far East to the U.S. East Coast without refueling. It is equipped with the first homegrown methanol dual-fuel main engine, a dual-fuel marine boiler, and the country's first methanol generator unit used on a container ship. The dual-fuel system enables seamless switching between fuel types depending on specific route needs.

The vessel can cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 120,000 tonnes per year – equivalent to the carbon sequestration of planting 6.7 million trees.

On May 15, China's largest photovoltaic (PV) and LNG dual-fuel car carrier, Yuan Hai Kou, set sail on its maiden voyage from Nansha, south China's Guangzhou Province.

The vessel boasts multiple green and intelligent technologies to ensure low-carbon operation throughout the entire voyage. Besides an advanced LNG dual-fuel main engine, it is equipped with a 302.8 kW PV system that generates 410,000 kWh annually, saving 111 tonnes of fuel and cutting carbon emissions by 345.9 tonnes. It is also fitted with a medium-voltage shore power interface, which uses 100 percent shore power during port berthing, reducing carbon dioxide by about 21 tonnes per day.

Green, smart ports

China is advancing rapidly in the construction and transformation of automation and intelligence in ports, said the ministry. Currently, the country has built 23 automated container terminals and 29 automated dry bulk terminals. Innovative technologies such as 5G autonomous container trucks and railway systems, remote-controlled automated yard cranes, and smart gate systems have been widely adopted.

Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province, June 20, 2025. /VCG

Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province is a global leader in automated and green development, being the first hydrogen-powered 5G smart terminal in Asia.

It focuses on green, low-carbon growth by integrating renewable energy with a PV system that generates over 1.7 million kWh annually, cutting carbon emissions by 1,500 tonnes. The port has also pioneered the use of hydrogen-powered machinery and developed China's first hydrogen-powered rail crane. Moreover, the port's self-developed hydrogen fuel cell and lithium battery energy management systems optimize energy use, helping reduce carbon emissions by about 3.5 kilograms and sulfur dioxide emissions by 0.11 kilogram per TEU.

Yantian Port in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, leads the way with shore power systems, reducing emissions by up to 98 percent by supplying ships with electricity from the shore rather than using diesel.

In 2016, with the help of the local power supply department, Yantian Port began using six intelligent shore power systems, with the shore power coverage rate for berths exceeding 95 percent. By 2024, the shore power system at the port had supplied nearly 25 million kWh of electricity to ships, reducing ship carbon emissions by approximately 19,000 tonnes.

Across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, ports like Mawan Smart Port and Nansha Port are integrating AI, 5G and new energy-powered machinery to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions.

Yantian Port in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, May 18, 2025. /VCG

China is deeply advancing structural carbon reduction in the maritime sector, accelerating the application of new energy, and improving pollution control for ports and vessels to build a clean, low-carbon maritime energy system, said Yang. He added that the country encourages international collaboration to establish green shipping corridors, promoting a global transition to low-carbon international shipping.

Additionally, China is strongly promoting the integration of new technologies such as AI, big data and blockchain to enhance data connectivity and improve the efficiency, quality and cost-effectiveness of maritime services, he said.