China's "Yuanhai Kou" Vessel Completes Maiden Journey as World's Largest PV-Powered Vehicle Carrier

The "Yuanhai Kou," which is the largest vehicle carrier globally and utilizes photovoltaic energy, has marked a milestone by completing its inaugural journey. The ship, operated by China COSCO Shipping Corporation, docked at Piraeus Port in Greece, where it delivered 4,000 vehicles that were manufactured in China.

Equipped with a cutting-edge photovoltaic system that boasts a peak power of 302.8 kilowatts, the "Yuanhai Kou" generates an impressive annual electricity output of approximately 410,000 kWh. This achievement allows the vessel to lower its lifecycle carbon intensity by around 35% compared to conventional vessels, according to reports.

Measuring 199.9 meters in length and with a gross tonnage of 68,252 tons, the "Yuanhai Kou" is designed with 12 decks to accommodate vehicles. This includes eight fixed decks and four that are movable, providing enough space for up to 7,000 standard car parking slots. The vessel can carry a wide range of vehicles, including passenger cars, buses, and engineering vehicles.

In addition to its PV capabilities, the vessel is also outfitted with a dual-fuel main engine that operates on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fuel oil. This engine design allows for approximately 20% energy savings and a reduction of over 24% in carbon emissions compared to traditional ships. Notably, a typical round-trip journey from China to Europe can result in a decrease of roughly 2,100 tons of carbon emissions.

Furthermore, the "Yuanhai Kou" utilizes an innovative real-time loading software, developed independently by COSCO Shipping. This technology facilitates the precise positioning of vehicles and includes fire early warning systems, thereby ensuring the safe overseas transport of new-energy vehicles.