China has built a new pure electric container ship, capable of carrying 740 standard containers (20-foot equivalent units), making it the largest in the world and the first domestically built 10,000-ton-class pure electric high-end intelligent sea vessel in China.
According to China News Service, this "740TEU Pure Electric Open Deck Container Ship" was launched on the 29th in Hukou County, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province. The vessel is 127.8 meters in total length and 21.6 meters in beam, providing about 740 standard 20-foot container slots. It uses 10 box-type batteries as its power source, which can be recharged via high-voltage shore power or through rapid battery replacement, enabling complete zero emissions throughout its operation and cargo handling while docked.
The ship integrates advanced systems such as an intelligent integration platform and smart engine room, and has autonomous navigation capabilities in open waters. Through innovative features like real-time ship-view perspectives, all-weather navigation visual perception, route planning, unmanned driving, and autonomous collision avoidance, it achieves intelligent mode switching for navigation.
Zhu Gang, project manager of Jiangxi Jiangxin Shipbuilding, said the successful launch of the first vessel marks the full completion of the main hull and the basic installation of key equipment such as the generator and propulsion motor. The next step will be the mooring test phase, ensuring the vessel will be delivered on schedule in 2026.
According to information from the Jiangxi Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the construction of the "740TEU Pure Electric Open Deck Container Ship" marks the entry of China's coastal container ship operations into a zero-emission, fully electric era, which has milestone significance for promoting China's green, zero-carbon, and high-quality development in shipping.