VESSEL REVIEW | Blue Dolphin 26 – Fully-electric vessel for tours on China's Pearl River
Chinese transport operator the Guangdong Port and Shipping Group, through its subsidiary Guangzhou Blue Dolphin Cruises, has taken delivery of a new electric sightseeing and events vessel built locally by AFAI Southern Shipyard.
Blue Dolphin 26 (蓝海豚26; Lanhaitun 26) will be operated within the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong Province, primarily on the Pearl River.
Electric propulsion was selected for the vessel in line with the operator’s aim of making tourism available along the Pearl River while limiting environmental impact.
The newbuild is an upgraded variant of Blue Dolphin 23, an earlier sightseeing vessel that has been in service with the same operator since 2024. Improvements on the newer vessel include a more powerful propulsion arrangement and greater onboard space to accommodate additional passengers.
Design maximising passengers' viewing opportunities
Blue Dolphin 26 has a length of 49.9 metres (164 feet), a beam of 14.5 metres (47.6 feet), and space for up to 428 passengers on two decks. The interiors feature a movable podium, which would permit the onboard layout to be reconfigured as necessary.
The vessel was designed with a “dolphin-like” streamlined exterior, giving her a prominent appearance that can be easily seen from shore. The onboard spaces include aft open-air viewing areas large windows provide passengers on both decks with unobstructed views of the outside.
Battery propulsion configured for sustained operation
The vessel’s electric propulsion system consists of a 3,400kWh battery pack developed by the 712 Research Institute subsidiary of the China Shipbuilding Group. The battery pack delivers a maximum operating endurance of eight hours at a cruising speed of 10 knots and is fitted with a power management system that can ensure efficient energy consumption across a range of speed settings.
The electric propulsion also delivers reduced vibration and noise levels as low as 55 dB when heard from inside the main cabin, ensuring improved comfort for passengers when underway.
Blue Dolphin 26 has entered service and is being operated on the same routes as Blue Dolphin 23, thus allowing Guangzhou Blue Dolphin Cruises to better accommodate passenger demand.
