China’s First‑class Green‑intelligent Vessel for Pinglu Canal Completes Sea Trials

According to official industry releases, *Beigang Canal 001*, Guangxi’s first green‑intelligent demonstration vessel classified by China Classification Society (CCS), has successfully concluded all sea‑trial operations. Designed and developed by CSSC Guangxi, the craft forms a key 5 000‑tonne demonstration ship for the Pinglu Canal project.

Measuring 89.9 metres in length, 15.76 metres in beam and 6.10 metres in depth, this multi‑purpose vessel handles both container and bulk‑cargo transport. It carries up to 207 standard containers under full‑load conditions.

The vessel runs entirely on liquefied natural gas as its sole power source, fitted with a new‑generation high‑vacuum insulated LNG gas‑supply system. Against conventional diesel‑fuelled ships, the design delivers more than 8 per cent reduction in annual energy consumption, alongside a 23 per cent cut in carbon‑dioxide emissions and a 99 per cent drop in sulphur‑oxide discharges.

An integrated smart platform functions as the vessel’s central control hub. Smart machinery‑room modules, intelligent energy‑efficiency management and unified digital infrastructure are deployed on‑board. The technical setup enables coordinated, unified smart shipping spanning vessels, port terminals and canal locks along the Pinglu Canal waterway.

Further real‑world operational validation will take place as the vessel enters service. Its technical framework will feed into ongoing development standards for low‑carbon, digitally‑enabled inland‑waterway craft across the region.