More than 80% of global commercial trade travels across oceans and lakes, and up and down rivers worldwide. Huge diesel motors powering giant ships contribute 3% of the global warming burden we are starting to feel. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAG) would have been watching with interest as a full battery power vessel arrived in Port of Yangshan, China.
How a Full Battery Power Vessel Would Interest UNCTAG
Back in 2022 UNCTAG warned of the need for the maritime industry to ready itself for ‘future global crises, climate change and the transition to low-carbon energy’. The UN agency called for greater environmental responsibility, and more preparation against storms and flooding.
Chinese company COSCO Group commands the largest commercial shipping fleet in China. Every day, Electrek reports, hundreds of COSCO container vessels ply inland and ocean waters. These ships have begun exporting Chinese-made electric vehicles to the West. It is only right that these ships should become battery-powered too.
COSCO Responds With Its First Electric Container Ship
The maritime giant’s first full battery power vessel, Green Water 01, is approximately 400-feet long, with a beam of 30 feet and a design draft of around 18 feet.
Green Water 01’s performance statistics include:
- Top speed of 14 miles per hour fully laden.
- A 100,000-ton dead weight carrying capacity.
- Combined 50,000 kWh base battery capacity.
The base battery capacity may be increased by adding additional 1,600 kWh battery containers to the set.
Electrek anticipates that the world’s first full battery power vessel will slash 12.4 tons of CO2 emissions for every 100 miles traveled. Green Water 01 has begun a service between Shanghai and Nanjing. We wish her good fortune, and all those who travel on her.
More Information
Time to Standardize Marine Charging Ports
Cruising on Battery Power Down Yangtze River
