HIBAPRESS – Abdellatif Baraka
China has announced a new advancement in maritime transport by developing container ships that run entirely on electric power, in a move described as a significant shift towards reducing polluting emissions and promoting green transportation. This initiative falls under an ambitious Chinese plan that aims to produce more than 100 electric ships by 2027, within the framework of a growing global trend towards clean energy alternatives in the maritime shipping sector.
These ships rely on electric propulsion systems powered by massive batteries instead of traditional fuel engines, making them capable of sailing without direct emissions during operation. They also feature modern technologies for energy and navigation management, in addition to a significant reduction in noise and improved operational efficiency compared to traditional ships. According to the data available on this type of ship, its carrying capacity usually ranges between 700 and 1,000 standard containers (TEU), and it is primarily directed to coastal lines and short trips, due to its reliance on charging batteries in ports or replacing them periodically, which limits its use on long trips at present. This development comes in the context of China's endeavor to reduce the carbon footprint of the maritime transport sector, which is one of the most prominent sources of emissions globally, with work on modernizing the port infrastructure to suit electric charging technologies. This trend also reflects a gradual shift in the maritime transport industry towards adopting smart and sustainable solutions, which may redraw the features of this sector in the coming years.
