China launches first zero-carbon sea–river shipping route in Zhejiang

China has launched its first zero-carbon sea–river intermodal shipping route, marking a major step toward greener maritime transport.

On June 30, a 10,000-ton-class fully electric container vessel, Ningyuan Dianpeng, departed from Jiaxing Port in Zhejiang Province bound for Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, officially beginning operations on the new route.

The vessel is 127.8 meters long, 21.6 meters wide, and can carry up to 742 TEUs. It is powered by 10 containerized battery units with a total storage capacity of around 20,000 kWh. Officials estimate it will save about 800 tons of fuel annually and cut carbon emissions by more than 2,000 tons.

The route combines inland electric shipping with coastal transport, forming a zero-carbon logistics chain. Goods are first moved via inland waterways to Jiaxing Port, then transferred to the electric vessel for onward shipment to Ningbo-Zhoushan Port.

Authorities say the system offers exporters in the Yangtze River Delta a lower-carbon logistics option, with each container reducing emissions by roughly 60 kilograms and total annual reductions reaching about 4,800 tons.

Zhejiang maritime authorities also introduced support measures to ensure safe operation and smoother integration between inland and coastal shipping networks.