VESSEL REVIEW | Sanxia Huba No 1 – Debris collection vessel to be operated in China's Three Gorges Dam

China’s Zigui Huaxing Shipping recently acquired a new debris collection and transfer vessel that can also be operated as a cargo transport.

Sanxia Huba No 1 (三峡护坝1号; “Three Gorges Dam Protection No 1”) was built for operation in inland waters in the city of Yichang in Hubei province, where it will collect, process, and transfer floating debris in the Three Gorges Dam. During the non-flood season, the vessel can be used for transporting dry bulk cargo.

Electric propulsion for reduced environmental impact

The steel monohull vessel has an LOA of 82 metres (270 feet), a beam of 13.76 metres (45.14 feet), a maximum draught of 3.25 metres (10.7 feet), and a depth of four metres (13 feet).

The newbuild is fitted with an all-electric propulsion system consisting of swappable containerised batteries with a total rated output of 4,000 kWh. The propulsion can deliver a service speed of 9.7 knots and a range of 160 kilometres (99 miles). The use of swappable batteries meanwhile ensures quicker turnarounds and therefore more trips to be completed over a given period, as the vessel no longer needs to be tied at berth for hours just to have batteries that have been charged to full capacity.

The vessel can also generate 844 tonnes fewer CO2 emissions over a one-year period compared to diesel-powered ships of similar size. Its operation can also result in diesel fuel savings of as much as 253 tonnes each year.

Development of Sanxia Huba No 1 is in line with the broader objective of preserving the marine environments of the Three Gorges Dam and the Yangtze River through the cleanup of debris and the use of electric propulsion on vessels.