WUHAN, — China's first 2,000-tonne hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) electric-hybrid inland cargo vessel has been officially approved for design in Wuhan on September 9th, with launching scheduled for 2028. Utilizing a hydrogen range extender road-map that integrated hydrogen ICEs with electric propulsion, the vessel is engineered specifically for long-distance inland transport of bulk commodities, including sand, construction materials, grain, and mineral products.

The vessel generates electricity via hydrogen ICEs to drive its propellers. Unlike hydrogen fuel cell vessels requiring high-purity hydrogen, this ship can directly burn crude industrial byproduct hydrogen, discharging only water vapor as exhaust. The hydrogen ICE is engineered for a service lifespan exceeding 20 years, comparable to conventional marine diesel engines, offering the durability required for high-intensity inland freight operations.

The project indicate that, leveraging the low procurement cost of industrial crude hydrogen, the vessel reduces per-kilometer fuel costs by approximately 20% compared to diesel vessels of equivalent tonnage. Designed with a cruising range exceeding 500 kilometers, the ship is tailored for bulk cargo transport along the Yangtze River trunk line. The annual output of industrial by-product hydrogen in the Qingshan district stands at approximately 200,000 tonnes. In parallel, the development of on-water hydrogen refueling stations and the hydrogen refueling supply network along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River has been included in the synchronized planning.

The project is currently in the preliminary phase, supporting policy frameworks and maritime standards regarding floating refueling infrastructure, shipbuilding costs, maintenance systems, and navigational safety regulations are being actively developed. The project's initiation marks a pioneer entry into hydrogen ICE cargo vessels for China's inland waterways, providing a new technical pathway for green maritime propulsion on the Yangtze River.

Source：Shipmates' Home