Clean energy powers inland waterway shipping

The rapid development of new energy technologies is underway in the inland waterway shipping sector to align navigation practices with environmental concerns by transitioning vessels to liquefied natural gas, battery, methanol and hydrogen fuel power sources, a senior transportation official said on Friday.

"China's new energy and clean energy vessels are holding their own against global benchmarks. Among these, electric vessels are predominantly used in China, leading the world in terms of scale and technology," said Fu Xuyin, vice-minister of transport at a news conference held in Beijing.

According to Fu, as of the end of 2024, China boasts over 1,000 ships that use alternative power sources and fuels along inland waterways. Among them, more than 600 are LNG-powered vessels, primarily used for inland waterway transportation, and 485 are battery-powered vessels, mainly for inland passenger services.