The World's First Methanol-Hydrogen Electric Dual-Purpose Collection and Distribution Vessel Makes Its Maiden Voyage in Shanghai, Pioneering the Chinese Model for Liquid New Energy Applications

On October 20, the world's first methanol-hydrogen electric dual-use container ship, the "Yuan Chun 001," successfully held its maiden voyage ceremony at the Luodong Container Terminal of Shanghai Port, officially commencing commercial operations. This milestone event not only fills the gap in the application of methanol-hydrogen electric technology in the shipping sector but also marks a critical step for China in exploring full-scenario applications of liquid new energy.

Representatives from government and enterprises attending the ceremony included Liu Changman, Vice President of Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd., Wang Zhaoxing, Senior Vice President of Geely Holding Group, and Fan Xianjun, CEO of Yuan Cheng New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group. At the maiden voyage site,Shanghai International Port Group and Geely Holding Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement on green shipping, with both parties agreeing to deepen collaboration in areas such as green shipping and port intelligence. The event also showcased practical application results of technologies from Yuan Cheng New Energy Commercial Vehicle, including methanol-hydrogen and electric tractors, trucks, and marine power systems in smart port scenarios.

• The green transformation of the shipping industry has become a global consensus.

According to statistics from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the shipping industry emits approximately 1 billion mt of carbon dioxide annually, accounting for 3% of global total emissions. IMO has explicitly required ships over 5,000 mt to reduce emissions in phases, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. Against this backdrop,methanol energy has emerged as a key solution due to its unique advantages: it serves as a coal-based clean fuel and can be produced on a large scale by coupling hydrogen from wind and solar power with carbon dioxide emitted during coal chemical processes, enabling zero-carbon, efficient utilization of coal. It also features easy storage and convenient transportation,and has been rated by Longspur Research as "one of the best choices for green marine fuels."

As an international shipping hub, Shanghai is accelerating its efforts to seize the initiative in this transformation. The"Shanghai Action Plan for Promoting Green Transformation of International Shipping Fuels,"released in October 2024, proposes the establishment of a coordinated domestic and international green fuel supply system for shipping by 2030, with the initial construction of a green fuel bunkering service center. Leveraging its advantage of being the world's top container port for 15 consecutive years, Shanghai Port has taken the lead in China in deploying the entire industry chain for green marine methanol, providing a solid industrial foundation for the maiden voyage of the "Yuan Chun 001."

• The technical performance of the "Yuan Chun 001" demonstrates significant competitive advantages.

The ship is equipped with a methanol-hydrogen electric system independently developed by Yuan Cheng New Energy Commercial Vehicle.Based on actual tests and comparisons: compared to traditional diesel-powered ships, energy costs are reduced by 42%, and carbon emissions are cut by 98%, nearly achieving zero-carbon operation; compared to pure electric ships, under the premise of enjoying the same national policy subsidies, the purchase cost is reduced by 24%, energy costs are lowered by 11.5%, and the driving range is increased to 1,500 km, effectively addressing the short driving range issue of pure electric vessels.

This collaboration is the result of strategic synergy between Shanghai Port Group and Geely Holding: Geely Holding has been deeply involved in the methanol field for over 20 years, establishing a comprehensive layout across the entire industry chain—from methanol production and refueling to application. In Shanghai, batches of methanol-electric vehicles have been deployed, accompanied by the construction of methanol refueling stations, and Jiading District has introduced a specialized plan to regulate the supervision of these stations. Leveraging its port operation experience and geographical advantages, Shanghai Port Group provides the necessary scenarios for technology implementation. Both parties have committed to further collaboration in advancing the establishment of green methanol standards, building refueling networks, and coordinating the capacity of methanol-electric vessels on inland waterways, accelerating the promotion of the industrial ecosystem.

• The commercial validation of methanol-electric technology has achieved multi-scenario coverage.

In the road transport sector, over 50,000 methanol-electric vehicles have been deployed, accumulating a total mileage of over 23 billion kilometers, fully demonstrating their economic efficiency, safety, and reliability. Several car models under the Yuan Cheng brand have been included in the vehicle purchase tax exemption catalog. The technology has now expanded into areas such as engineering machinery and power generation units, forming a multi-dimensional green energy application matrix.

The maiden voyage of the "Yuan Chun 001" marks the official implementation of a three-dimensional green logistics solution based on methanol-electric technology, providing a replicable model for the transformation of the shipping industry. Wang Zhaoxing, Senior Vice President of Geely Holding Group, stated that both parties will leverage technological innovation and industrial collaboration to build a green and sustainable development model for liquid new energy. This "China model" not only contributes to China's energy independence but also offers "Chinese wisdom" and "Chinese solutions" for the global green transition of shipping.