‘Sanxia Lüzhou 01’ vessel launched for green phosphate ore transport
2025-08-28 19:08:12
By Chen Si.
The Sanxia Lüzhou 01 was launched in Letianxi Town on August 26 marking China’s first demonstration ship for phosphate ore transport powered by pure methanol and electric propulsion.
The 3,000-ton vessel measures 99 meters in length, 16.3 meters in width, and 4.8 meters in depth. It is equipped with two 550-kilowatt methanol generators and two 1,200-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery systems, serving as a model for sustainable phosphate ore transport across the Three Gorges Dam.
According to Zhu Dejun, Technical Section Chief of Yichang Huashun Ship Repair Co., Ltd., the vessel offers major environmental benefits. Compared to diesel-powered ships, it operates more quietly, eliminates sulfur oxide emissions, and greatly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions. Over its service life, each ship is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 4,200 tons and reduce operational costs by more than 30 percent.
The Sanxia Lüzhou 01 is part of a fleet of eight planned vessels, with two already completed. Developed in collaboration between Yichang City and Three Gorges Electric Energy Co., Ltd., the first two ships will begin operations in October, transporting phosphate rock from Xingshan to Yidu.
Tan Qiangming and Qiu Chengjiao contributed to this story.
The Sanxia Lüzhou 01 was launched in Letianxi Town on August 26 marking China’s first demonstration ship for phosphate ore transport powered by pure methanol and electric propulsion.
The 3,000-ton vessel measures 99 meters in length, 16.3 meters in width, and 4.8 meters in depth. It is equipped with two 550-kilowatt methanol generators and two 1,200-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery systems, serving as a model for sustainable phosphate ore transport across the Three Gorges Dam.
According to Zhu Dejun, Technical Section Chief of Yichang Huashun Ship Repair Co., Ltd., the vessel offers major environmental benefits. Compared to diesel-powered ships, it operates more quietly, eliminates sulfur oxide emissions, and greatly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions. Over its service life, each ship is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 4,200 tons and reduce operational costs by more than 30 percent.
The Sanxia Lüzhou 01 is part of a fleet of eight planned vessels, with two already completed. Developed in collaboration between Yichang City and Three Gorges Electric Energy Co., Ltd., the first two ships will begin operations in October, transporting phosphate rock from Xingshan to Yidu.
Tan Qiangming and Qiu Chengjiao contributed to this story.
