Yuanhai Kou, the world’s largest solar-powered vehicle carrier, has completed its maiden voyage, docking at Greece’s Piraeus Port with 4,000 Chinese-made cars aboard.
Built by China COSCO Shipping Corporation, this state-of-the-art vessel spans 199.9 meters and weighs in at a gross tonnage of over 68,000 tons. The Yuanhai Kou is no ordinary ship. Outfitted with 12 vehicle decks, eight fixed and four movable, it can carry up to 7,000 vehicles, including buses, engineering equipment, and especially new energy vehicles (NEVs), which made up over 90% of its first shipment. Having departed from Guangzhou’s Nansha Port, the vessel’s maiden journey included stops in Turkey, Italy, and Tunisia, marking the start of a new era in low-emission long-distance transport.
At the heart of the vessel’s innovation is its dual-fuel engine, which uses liquefied natural gas (LNG) and traditional fuel oil. Combined with smart loading software, this setup significantly boosts fuel efficiency and lowers environmental impact. According to shipping data, the Yuanhai Kou cuts carbon emissions by over 24% compared to conventional ships, translating to an average reduction of 2,100 tons of CO? per round-trip between China and Europe.
But perhaps the ship’s most defining feature is its onboard solar energy system. With a peak output of 302.8 kilowatts, the photovoltaic (PV) array, the largest of its kind, powers essential ship systems, including lighting and communications. The 500+ Longi Sea-Shield modules generate around 410,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, reducing fossil fuel use by 111 tons and eliminating 346 tons of CO? emissions, an environmental contribution equivalent to planting nearly 38,000 trees.
These solar panels are built for the sea, using corrosion-resistant materials and sealed junction boxes to endure high humidity, salt spray, and rough waters. This durability ensures that energy production remains stable and reliable, even under the extreme conditions of international shipping lanes.
Beyond emissions reduction, safety is also a key focus. The Yuanhai Kou is equipped with advanced fire hazard monitoring systems, which track the exact location of every vehicle on board and provide early warnings in case of emergencies, an especially crucial feature for safeguarding NEVs during extended overseas transport.
