The world's first 700TEU electric container ship (N997), owned by COSCO Shipping, was launched from its construction site into the water on July 26 in Yangzhou.

As a 10,000-DWT specific route river/coastal ship, it has a length of 119.8 meters and a beam of 23.6 meters.

The vessel excels worldwide in terms of the container capacity, DWT, and the battery capacity. It is powered by 36 portable batteries, equivalent to the battery capacity of more than 800 electric cars. Compared with conventional fuel ships of the same size, N997 can reduce carbon emissions by about 12.4 tonnes and save about 33,500 yuan in fuel cost per 100 nautical miles.

(Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)

The container ship's intelligent system can scientifically plan its speed, taking into account delivery needs, arrival time, water currents, battery capacity and other factors. The ship will start a trial voyage in late September and undergo performance testing.