Zhuhai Port ships on group's first green-energy vessel

Guangdong's first LNG (liquefied natural gas) dual-fuel inland waterway transport vessel, the YueZhu 328, was launched on June 13, initiating modern "green" river transport.

In recent years, Zhuhai Port Holdings Group has seized the opportunity in the Pearl River-Xijiang River Economic Belt to implement its own Xijiang River Strategy. As a major part of that effort, one of the group's wholly owned subsidiaries, Zhuhai Ocean Shipping Co Ltd, opens and operates the Xijiang River Barge Line. It is also Zhuhai's largest water-freight company.

YueZhu 328 vessel [Photo by Zhong Fan / Zhuhai Daily] 

Responding to the country's call for using clean energy such as LNG in transportation to promote green ports, Zhuhai Ocean Shipping has replaced its old energy-consuming ships with ones of high efficiency and low emissions. At a cost of 30 million yuan ($4.4 million), the company has also built four LNG dual-fuel engine ships including the YueZhu 328 to optimize capacity, reduce costs, and improve competitiveness.

As a multi-purpose ship, the 3,000 dwt vessel uses LNG and diesel oil, lowering fuel costs by 20 percent. The maximum deadweight of the vessel is 3,530 tons, giving it a capacity of 160 laden containers.

The ship was full during its maiden voyage from Guangzhou to Gaolan Port. In the future, it will carry out tasks between Gaolan Port and Dalikou Wharf in Wuzhou of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

With the YueZhu 328 in service, Zhuhai Port Holdings Group will have 12 ships in operation and transport capacity of 200,000 tons. Follow-up investment will be made in six extra multi-functional ships.

An executive of the holdings group said they have become controlling shareholder of Yunfu New Port, constructed Dalikou Wharf, and initiated 20 Xijiang River barge lines. A Xijiang River logistics channel has been created with Zhuhai Port as its main estuary.

From January to May, the cargo handling capacity of Zhuhai Port exceeded 15.52 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 51.78 percent. Meanwhile, the port’s container throughput rose by 66.21 percent to 445,500 teus.