Screenshot of the hydrogen-powered container vessel being launched in China. CCTV China/ YouTube
China has launched its first-ever hydrogen-powered container ship to demonstrate the potential of fossil-fuel-free transport. Dubbed Dong Fang Qing Gang, the vessel is 211 feet (64.5 m) long and has a carrying capacity of 64 containers or ~1,450 tons.
The transportation sector is the second-largest contributor to carbon emissions across the globe. Although the shipping industry contributes only 11 percent of this sector’s emissions, increased global trade and maritime carriage could result in an over 50 percent increase in these numbers by 2050 if proactive steps are not taken.
While electrification of personal vehicles is underway in a bid to reduce tailpipe emissions, the strategy is not effective for long-haul transport by water and air. The energy density of batteries is currently proportional to their weight and, therefore, a hurdle in adoption for long-range transport. This is where alternative technologies with energy densities like hydrogen fuel cells are being currently tested.
China’s hydrogen-powered ship
The launch of China’s first hydrogen-powered inland container vessel took place in the Zhejiang Province in Eastern China last week. The vessel is fitted with two hydrogen fuel cells with a power rating of 240 kW, each developed by China-based company Sinosynergy, and is the largest fuel cell installed on a ship.
The onboard hydrogen storage capacity of the ship is 1,200 pounds (550 kg). This is also the largest hydrogen storage on a ship and will help deliver a range of 236 miles (380 km). Annually, this is expected to prevent up to 700 tons of carbon emissions.
Other energy-based components on the vessel include a lithium battery that can store some of the energy generated by the fuel cell. A control system integrates all these components with the propulsion of the ship that displaces 2,000 tons.
Operational by 2025
During the launch event, only the hull of the vessel was ready, and the remaining components will undergo installation in the following months. After commissioning tests, the vessel is expected to be operational on the inland route between Jiaxing and Xiasha port in Hangzhou, East China, by 2025.
China aims to make this its first green inland water transport route to be powered by green hydrogen in the near future, and it is one of the many efforts the country is taking to reduce its carbon emissions.
When compared to air freight and road-based transport, rail and water-based transport offer the lowest emissions per kilometer and unit transported. New rail infrastructure is difficult to build and cannot connect the world. Water-based transport, on the other hand, does not have to be built up and can use existing infrastructure, making it easier to scale up.
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Interesting Engineering has previously reported how battery-operated ships have been deployed over shorter distances. But hydrogen-powered shipping can radically change maritime trade from being a polluter to environment-friendly activity.
Projects such as Dong Fang Qing Gang are a crucial step in this direction.
