The world's largest solar-powered car carrier, the Yuan Hai Kou, has completed its first voyage, delivering 4,000 Chinese vehicles to Greece's Piraeus Port. Operated by China COSCO Shipping Corporation, the vessel represents a major leap in sustainable maritime transport, combining solar energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to slash carbon emissions by up to 35%.
Equipped with a 302.8-kilowatt solar system—the largest of its kind—the ship generates 410,000 kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually. Its dual-fuel engine reduces energy consumption by 20% and cuts carbon emissions by over 24% per trip. A round-trip journey from China to Europe, for example, avoids 2,100 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Zhang Wei, chairman of COSCO Shipping Specialized Carriers, highlighted the vessel's role in advancing low-carbon shipping and supporting global trade. The Yuan Hai Kou can carry up to 7,000 vehicles, including buses and engineering trucks, and features proprietary software for real-time tracking and fire safety—critical for transporting new energy vehicles.
The milestone aligns with China's Belt and Road Initiative, with COSCO Shipping reporting a 173% year-on-year surge in vehicle exports to partner countries in early 2024. The Yuan Hai Kou sets a new benchmark for eco-friendly logistics in an industry responsible for nearly 3% of global emissions.
