China’s new dual-fuel car carrier, the “Yuan Hai Kou,” completed its maiden voyage by delivering 4,000 Chinese vehicles to the Port of Piraeus in Greece, according to China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited. The ship is part of China’s efforts to green its global shipping operations.
The vessel is outfitted with multiple eco-friendly and smart technologies designed to support low-carbon maritime transport.
It includes an advanced LNG dual-fuel engine and a 302.8-kilowatt photovoltaic (PV) solar system—the largest ever installed on such a vessel—which generates 410,000 kWh of electricity annually. This innovation helps reduce carbon intensity by 35 percent compared to traditional ships.
Zhang Wei, chairman of COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers, stated that the voyage marks a significant milestone in COSCO’s global logistics strategy and sets a benchmark for sustainable transformation in the shipping industry.
At 199.9 meters long, the ship has a gross tonnage of 68,252 tonnes and a displacement of 39,069 tonnes. It features 12 decks—eight fixed and four adjustable—and can carry up to 7,000 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses.
Its dual-fuel engine, operating on both LNG and fuel oil, reduces energy use by 20 percent and cuts carbon emissions by over 24 percent. A typical round trip between China and Europe saves approximately 2,100 tonnes of carbon emissions.
To boost safety and efficiency, the vessel also employs COSCO’s in-house software that enables real-time vehicle tracking and fire detection, particularly beneficial for the export of new energy vehicles.
Zhang added that from January to May this year, COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers transported over 100,000 vehicles to Belt and Road Initiative countries, a 173% increase compared to the same period last year.
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