China Begins Full Scale Sea Trials of 10,000 ton Electric Containership

China Starts Sea Trials for 10,000 ton Electric Containership

China has started sea trials for the Ning Yuan Dian Kun, a 10,000 ton fully electric container ship built to expand battery powered coastal shipping. Jiangxi Jiangxin Shipbuilding constructed the vessel, and crews are now testing it in waters off Shanghai.

The ship left the yard on February 1 after crews finished outfitting and dockside commissioning. It entered its trial programme on February 6, and tests will continue through February 13. During this period, engineers are measuring propulsion output, energy efficiency and onboard system performance under real operating conditions.

Electric Propulsion Under Evaluation

First, the trial team is focusing on the ship’s containerised battery propulsion system. Engineers are tracking energy consumption, maneuverability and operational stability across different speed and load settings. At the same time, they are reviewing how the vessel responds during routine handling and navigation tasks.

The ship carries ten modular battery units with a combined capacity of 19,000 kWh. These units power two 875 kW permanent magnet motors. Operators can recharge the batteries through high voltage shore connections, or they can swap battery modules to reduce port turnaround time. In addition, a photovoltaic array on deck supports auxiliary power demand.

Engineers are also testing autonomous navigation functions. These systems handle real time monitoring, route optimisation and collision avoidance to support safer and more efficient voyages.

Vessel Design and Capacity

The Ning Yuan Dian Kun measures 127.8 metres in length, with a beam of 21.6 metres and a depth of 10.5 metres. It can carry up to 740 TEU and can reach a maximum speed of about 11.5 knots. The project marks China’s first domestically developed intelligent electric container ship in the 10,000 ton class.

Commercial Deployment Plans

After the trials finish and inspectors complete acceptance checks, Ningbo Ocean Shipping Co. Ltd. will receive the vessel. The company plans to deploy it on feeder routes serving the Ningbo Zhoushan port complex. Meanwhile, builders are progressing work on a sister ship within the same electric feeder programme.

Overall, the project shows how China is accelerating the adoption of zero emission propulsion and smart vessel technology in coastal shipping.