[SMM Hydrogen Policy Update] General Office of the Ministry of Transport: Application of New Energy Vessels in Key Waterways, Layout of Hydrogen Refueling Stations and Other Comprehensive Energy Supply Facilities in Expressway Service Areas

On September 12, 2025, the General Office of the Ministry of Transport issued the "Guidance on Application Directions for the Pilot Construction of a Leading Transport Nation (2025)", which clearly includes 16 application fields and 52 application directions, focusing on core tasks such as transport infrastructure renewal, intelligent upgrading, and green transformation. Among these, specific requirements were proposed in areas such as the application of methanol-powered ships, the R&D of hydrogen fuel cell ships, and the construction of hydrogen refueling stations along expressways, providing an action guide for the integrated development of green energy substitution and infrastructure in the transport sector.

The document, centered on the themes of "Green Transport" and "Energy Integration", sets clear goals in areas such as ship power innovation and the construction of road energy replenishment networks: promoting the application of new energy ships in key waterways like the Yangtze River trunk line and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and advancing the implementation of hydrogen fuel cell technology in transport ships; deploying comprehensive energy replenishment facilities such as hydrogen refueling stations in expressway service areas, building a support system for zero-carbon transport corridors, and laying the foundation for the large-scale application of hydrogen in transport scenarios.

I. Promoting Large-Scale Application of Methanol and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Ships in Key Waterways

The "Guidance" lists "Green Transport Equipment Renewal" as a core direction, clearly identifying "clean energy substitution" as a breakthrough point in the ship sector, focusing on key waterways and ship types to advance technology implementation.

InApplication Areas and Scenarios, it focuses on key areas with heavy freight traffic and ecological sensitivity such as the Yangtze River trunk line waterway, the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, and the Pearl River Delta waterway network, proposing the construction of "zero-emission shipping corridors". Through incentive policies such as "priority lock passage, priority berthing and departure, priority loading and unloading", it guides the adoption of pure electric and methanol-powered ships; simultaneously, in areas such as transport ships, official vessels, and port service vessels, it explicitly promotes the construction and use of battery-powered, methanol, and hydrogen fuel cell ships, concurrently supporting the construction of charging (swapping) and refueling facilities to address the "driving range anxiety" and "energy replenishment challenges" of new energy ships.

InTechnology and Industry Collaboration, the document emphasizes the linkage of "industry-academia-research-application". On one hand, it promotes the large-scale application of liquefied natural gas ships and the construction of coastal refueling capacity; on the other hand, it encourages the development of energy-efficient ship types, includes hydrogen fuel cell ships in the key scope of "green equipment R&D", verifies technology maturity through pilot projects, accumulates data and experience for subsequent industry-wide promotion, and assists in achieving carbon emission reduction targets in the ship sector.

II. Building a "Hydrogen Refueling Station + Diversified Energy Replenishment" Infrastructure System in the Expressway Network

Addressing the needs for "green transformation" in the road freight sector, the "Guidance" uses the "construction of zero-carbon freight corridors for electric heavy-duty trucks" as a key measure, explicitly incorporating hydrogen refueling stations into the comprehensive energy replenishment network of expressways, forming an integrated layout of "charging + battery swapping + hydrogen refueling + ESS".

In terms of facility construction layout, it proposes to build large-scale new energy heavy truck charging stations (including fast charging and ultra-fast charging stations), battery swapping stations, hydrogen refueling stations, and ESS / PV+ESS+charging integrated facilities, relying on highway service areas, entrances, and exits, and other transportation nodes. The goal is to form a cross-regional, comprehensive zero-carbon transport corridor energy replenishment network for highways, addressing the issue of "difficult long-distance energy replenishment" for new energy heavy trucks. For example, along dedicated routes for bulk cargo such as coal and ore, priority will be given to the layout of hydrogen refueling stations, catering to the long driving range and high load capacity requirements of hydrogen fuel cell heavy trucks.

In terms of operation and standard support, the document also promotes the construction of a "soft environment": on one hand, it advances the establishment of a battery bank for heavy truck battery swapping and an integrated operation service platform for new energy heavy truck energy replenishment, improving facility utilization efficiency through "unified dispatching and shared energy replenishment"; on the other hand, it introduces technical standards for carbon footprint accounting and certification of new energy heavy trucks, develops carbon reduction methodologies, and incorporates the emission reduction benefits of hydrogen fuel cell heavy trucks into the carbon market trading system, accelerating the commercialization of technology through economic incentives.

III. Policy Guarantee Mechanism for Green Development through the Integration of Transportation and Energy

To ensure the implementation of green technologies such as methanol and hydrogen in the transportation sector, the Guidelines construct a guarantee system from three dimensions: "mechanism innovation," "cross-departmental collaboration," and "international cooperation," to connect the entire chain of "technology - facilities - operations."

In terms of integration development mechanism, "the integration of transportation and energy development" is listed as an independent application area, proposing the construction of "source-grid-load-ESS-charging" integrated projects, promoting the interconnection between transportation infrastructure and energy networks. For example, in ports and logistics parks, distributed PV and wind power generation can directly supply energy to methanol ship refueling facilities and hydrogen refueling stations, achieving "local production and local use of clean energy," reducing carbon emissions across the entire chain.

In terms of cross-departmental collaboration, it clearly states that multiple departments, including the Comprehensive Planning Department and Transport Service Department of the Ministry of Transport, should take the lead, working with energy and environmental protection departments to formulate supporting policies. For instance, establishing a "green channel" for land approval for hydrogen refueling stations, electricity prices / gas price discounts, and subsidy applications, solving issues related to complex cross-industry approval processes and inconsistent standards; at the same time, encouraging localities to apply for pilot programs based on their resource endowments, such as focusing on the development of hydrogen fuel cell heavy trucks and hydrogen refueling stations in major coal-producing regions, and prioritizing the construction of methanol ships and port refueling facilities in coastal areas.

In terms of international cooperation and standard export, although the document does not directly mention international cooperation, it suggests promoting the conversion of Chinese port and shipping green standards (such as safety operation regulations for methanol ships and construction standards for hydrogen refueling stations) through international organizations, laying the groundwork for the subsequent "go global" of China's methanol and hydrogen transportation equipment and technology. For example, in port cooperation along the Belt and Road countries, promoting the construction model of Chinese hydrogen fuel cell ships and hydrogen refueling stations.

The issuance of the "Guidelines for Pilot Application Directions in Building a Strong Transportation Country (2025)" marks the transition of the green transformation in the transportation sector from "single-point exploration" to "systematic advancement." By focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as methanol and hydrogen energy, combined with pilot demonstrations in key regions and scenarios, it will accelerate the replacement of clean energy in transportation equipment and the upgrading of infrastructure. This provides critical support for achieving the "dual carbon" goals while also creating long-term market opportunities for related industry chains (such as methanol shipbuilding, hydrogen fuel cell R&D, and hydrogen refueling station equipment production).