China’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered inland container ship, built by Zhejiang Hedong Shipbuilding Technology Co for Zhejiang Hydrogen Energy Industry Development, has successfully completed its first long-distance trial voyage on 17 March, according to Zhejiang Economic and Information Centre on Friday (20 March).
The trial marked an important achievement for the Zhejiang Zhapu Economic Development Zone (Jiaxing Port Area) in implementing the national hydrogen energy strategy and exploring its comprehensive applications.
Dong Fang Qing Gang was completed on 1 December last year and was classed by China Classification Society.
During this long-distance trial, the ship completed a sailing distance of 83.7 km with a total duration of approximately eight hours before berthing at Xiasha Port, Hangzhou.
The vessel has a cargo capacity of up to 64 TEUs and is equipped with two Sino-Synergy Hydrogen Energy Technology’s (Jiaxing) SynWave C240 marine fuel cell systems, giving it a range of more than 380 km.
The ship’s main key equipment is a hydrogen fuel cell with a rated power of 240KW. It is the largest hydrogen fuel cell that has been newly developed and applied to a ship in China for the first time.
The hydrogen storage system can store 550 kg of hydrogen, which is the largest hydrogen storage system currently used on a ship.
As the first hydrogen-powered inland waterway container ship in China, the Dong Fang Qing Gang will be dedicated to the 120-km Zhapu Port-Xiasha Port route, creating the nation’s first green hydrogen-powered inland waterway container transportation route.
Compared to traditional fuel-powered ships, it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 700 tonnes annually, contributing to cleaner transportation in the Yangtze River Delta’s sea-river intermodal transport.
Photo credit: China Classification Society
Published: 25 March, 2026
