OVC's laboratory empowers green development of shipbuilding industry

The first domestically built new energy dual-purpose transport vessel, Dongxing 100, loaded with nearly 2,000 metric tons of coal, set sail from Jiangsu's Taicang Port on Feb 18 for the Huaneng Zhejiang Changxing Power Plant.

This pioneering new energy vessel, the first of its kind in China, was developed through a collaboration between Hubei Donghu Laboratory in the Wuhan East Lake High-tech Development Zone (Optics Valley of China, or OVC) and Huaneng (Zhejiang) Energy Development Co.

"Each voyage can save 1,700 liters of fuel, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4.3 tons, and operate at one-fifth of the cost of fuel-powered vessels," stated a representative from Huaneng (Zhejiang) Energy Development Co.

The first 120 TEU new energy pure electric container demonstration ship in Hubei province, developed with the participation of Hubei Donghu Laboratory. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

Since its delivery in June 2022, the vessel has completed 107 voyages, covered nearly 60,000 kilometers, and transported nearly 200,000 tons of coal. It has emerged as China's longest-operating, lowest-energy-consuming, and most economically viable electric vessel.

Since its establishment in 2021, Hubei Donghu Laboratory has made breakthroughs in core technologies such as ship electric propulsion systems, installing "green hearts" on vessels like Dongxing 100, contributing to China's maritime industry's green and intelligent transformation.

In recent years, the laboratory has collaborated with research institutes and universities, focusing on maritime green and intelligent transformation, bringing numerous innovative achievements from the laboratory to the market. Statistics indicate that the market share of Hubei-made electric vessel core power systems exceeds 60 percent, leading the nation.

The laboratory is currently constructing a platform to test the functionality and performance of ship autonomous driving systems. It is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

The Hubei Donghu Laboratory. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]