"Fujian's electric vessels are sailing all over the country and rapidly making their way across the globe." This is the consensus reached at the ongoing World Maritime Equipment Conference 2024.

Public data further highlights this trend: Fujian Province has currently deployed 80 electric vessels across 10 demonstration projects. The core technological products for these electric ships are leading nationwide, with applications on over a thousand electric vessels both domestically and internationally. The domestic market share for Fujian's electric vessels exceeds 40%, achieving comprehensive demonstration applications across rivers, lakes, and seas.

Considering the current state of "green vessels made in China", this trend becomes even more evident. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal American website, as referenced by the People's Daily Overseas Edition, China has emerged as "the top global shipmaker by a wide margin". According to authoritative data, in 2023, China secured 57% of the global market share for new green-powered vessel orders, achieving comprehensive coverage across all mainstream vessel types. By the first three months of 2024, a substantial portion of new global green shipbuilding orders were concentrated in China.

Green vessels are ships that utilize advanced technologies or new and clean energy sources to minimize pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On the 16th, many guests attending the World Maritime Equipment Conference 2024 enjoyed a scenic cruise along both banks of the Minjiang River aboard a green passenger vessel.

The vessel is Fujian's first independently designed and constructed large high-end pure electric passenger vessel, the "Minjiang Reception Hall". It is equipped with a CATL 302A lithium iron phosphate battery, and all electrical equipment in the battery compartment is explosion-proof. Additionally, a redundant power distribution architecture is employed to prevent total power loss in extreme situations.

A representative from the Fujian Provincial Port Group did some calculations: compared to a fuel-powered vessel, the new vessel saves RMB 650 per hour in fuel costs, amounting to over RMB 260,000 annually. Additionally, by eliminating the need for 1 chief engineer, the total annual operating costs can be reduced by nearly RMB 400,000.

The momentum of this development is not exclusive to Fuzhou. Currently, Fujian has established 9 replicable and scalable demonstration sites for electric vessels. These sites include the Minjiang River; Xiamen/Fuzhou Port; Gulangyu Island in Xiamen; Saijiang River in Fu'an, Ningde; Sandu Ao Port in Ningde; Meizhou Bay in Putian; Mulan Creek in Putian; Cuiping Lake in Gutian, Ningde; and Dajin Lake in Sanming.

Staying true to the principle of "based in Fujian, serving the Yangtze River, and oriented towards the whole country", Fujian has spearheaded the planning and promotion of the electric vessel industry since the inception of the "Electric Fujian" initiative in 2017. In 2023, the Industry and Information Technology Department of Fujian Province, along with 9 other departments, jointly issued the Implementation Opinions on Advancing the Comprehensive Development of "Electric Fujian" (2023–2025).

"Following Fujian Province's designation as a national pilot zone for green and intelligent shipbuilding development, we have concentrated on scenario-driven strategies, policy support, innovation-driven approaches, and pilot demonstrations. These methods have enabled us to streamline every segment of the electric vessel industry chain, effectively establishing a comprehensive industry chain that encompasses research, design, assembly and construction, the development of 'motor-battery-electronic control' systems, operational support, and vessel application. " An official from the Industry and Information Technology Department of Fujian Province said.

Thanks to this, a full industry chain for electric vessels is taking shape, covering research and development, design, assembly and construction, the development of "motor-battery-electronic control" systems, operational support, and vessel application.

Fujian is actively pursuing a greener and more robust future. It attracts advanced electric vessel research and design institutions to explore topics related to electric vessels, such as the "Research on the Comprehensive Development Path of Fujian's Electric Vessel Industry". For example, the China Ship Scientific Research Center (CSSRC) has established the Fujian Electric Vessel Design and Research Center in Fuzhou, while its subsidiary, CSSRC Oriental, has set up the "Fujian Lvzhou" branch in Ningde.

"Build ships like building cars." Focusing on the application needs of different scenarios such as rivers, lakes, and seas, Fujian aims to develop demonstration models of electric vessels, including electric cargo ships, electric tugboats, electric cruise ships, and electric auxiliary fishing boats. At the same time, Fujian has completed and commenced the operation of the first public charging station for electric vessels on the Minjiang River, with financial support provided to promote the development of the electric vessel industry.

The power of innovation continues to build momentum. With the support of leading enterprises such as the Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Group and CATL, Fujian is committed to advancing the implementation of industrial projects and promoting the development of the electric vessel industry chain. Projects like the "Fujian Shipbuilding Industry Group Electric Vessel Research and Assembly Base" and "CATL Electric Vessel Technology Co., Ltd." have been successfully established.

At the special report meeting on the electrification of coastal and inland vessels held on the 16th, Fujian's electric vessels garnered attention once again. During the event, agreements were signed focusing on electric vessel projects, propulsion systems, shore power facilities, business implementation, and strategic cooperation, further strengthening the integration of the upstream and downstream supply chains and the industry chain of the electric vessel sector. Simultaneously, the nation's first comprehensive training manual for battery-powered vessel crews, titled Safety Operation and Management of Battery-Powered Vessels, has been released. This manual emphasizes "theoretical instruction + practical training" to enhance the professional skills and emergency response capabilities of battery-powered vessel crews, thereby promoting the healthy and sustainable development of the industry.

It can be said that the success of China's shipbuilding industry can be attributed to a "chip" from Fujian. An official from the Industry and Information Technology Department of Fujian Province stated that Fujian's next steps will focus on "standardization of vessel models, the promotion of industrial clustering, the integration of shore power, market-oriented operations, professional construction practices, and systematization of standards". The aim is to establish a specialized industrial base for electric vessels, accelerate the development of a comprehensive supply system for electric vessels, and promote high-quality development across the entire electric vessel industry chain.