China's Yichang Zigui Huaxing Shipyard recently delivered a new battery-powered inland bulk carrier.
Gezhouba (葛洲坝) was designed by the Wuhan Yangtze River Ship Design Institute. According to Chinese media, she is one of the largest inland electric bulk carriers in operation with a deadweight of 10,000.
The ship measures 129.9 metres long and has a total cargo capacity of 13,740 tons and a range of 500 kilometres on a single full charge.
Twelve containerised lithium batteries with a total rated output of 24,000 kWh deliver a range of 480 kilometres. The batteries are swappable, thus guaranteeing quicker turnarounds compared to vessels equipped for shoreside charging.
Swapping of the batteries can be completed in as little as ten minutes.
The vessel is also fitted with intelligent systems for remote and autonomous navigation, automatic berthing and unberthing, energy management, navigation control, collision avoidance and engine room monitoring.
Satellite and 4G/5G communication links are available to ensure effective real-time ship-to-shore data transfer when monitoring the various operating parameters.
Gezhouba will be operated on the Yangtze River.
