On July 30, the Yangtze River’s first methanol-powered smart vessel, the «Changhang Freight 006,» was officially outfitted at the Yichang Ship Industrial Park.

Targeting the green smart shipbuilding industry as a breakthrough in high-end equipment manufacturing, Hubei has clearly set a goal to achieve a total shipbuilding industry output value of 100 billion yuan by 2025.

The Yangtze River surges, with thousands of ships sailing.

As the only province through which over 1,000 kilometers of the Yangtze River’s main stream flows, Hubei boasts rich water transport resources and nearly 10,000 registered vessels.

In recent years, Hubei has seized the strategic opportunity of the «dual carbon» goals, fully leveraging the advantages of the golden waterway. It has positioned the green smart shipbuilding industry as a breakthrough in high-end equipment manufacturing, explicitly aiming for a total shipbuilding industry output value of 100 billion yuan by 2025.

From the world’s largest pure electric cruise ship, the «Yangtze River Three Gorges 1,» to the nation’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessel, the «Three Gases Hydrogen Boat 1″… Hubei’s green shipbuilding industry has achieved multiple national «firsts» and «innovations,» becoming a benchmark for the green transformation of inland waterway transport.

Data shows that the province currently has 53 shipbuilding enterprises and over 300 supporting companies, forming a relatively complete industrial chain. Hubei-made electric ship core power systems hold a 62% market share, ranking first nationally. The province operates 145 green-powered vessels, leading the Yangtze River basin, with 233 green-powered ships under construction, accounting for 33% of the national total. The green smart shipbuilding industry scale ranks among the top nationally.

However, industry insiders note that to accelerate the establishment of a national pilot zone for green smart ship applications, Hubei still needs to address challenges such as fragmented market entities and weak industrial clustering effects.

Multiple National «Firsts» Fill Industry Gaps

At 7 PM on September 6, the pure electric commercial tourism ship «Junlv Hao» slowly departed from Hongxiang Wharf. During its one-hour voyage, the ship passed famous landmarks including Jianghan Customs, Longwang Temple, Qingchuan Pavilion, and Yellow Crane Tower, complementing the dazzling light shows on both riverbanks. On the deck, with a gentle breeze, a tourist from Hunan praised: «The river view is beautiful, the ship sails smoothly, with no noise or odor—very comfortable.»

The «Junlv Hao» is China’s first pure electric commercial tourism ship, launched in 2020. Its «green heart»—the core electric propulsion system—was made in Hubei.

As early as 2016, when the domestic electric ship industry was still nascent, the 712 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation in Wuhan率先 focused on electric ships, developing core power systems. Subsequently, the 712 Institute targeted inland electric sightseeing cruisers as the first application, collaborating with Wuhan Ferry Company to build the pure electric cruise ship «Junlv Hao.» It also introduced battery standards and inspection guidelines for electric ships, filling gaps in the domestic electric ship industry.

Since then, Hubei’s shipbuilding industry has continued to pursue innovation and green development: in March 2022, the nation’s largest pure electric cruise ship, «Yangtze River Three Gorges 1,» made its maiden voyage; in October 2023, the nation’s first inland hydrogen fuel cell-powered ship, «Three Gases Hydrogen Boat 1,» debuted, with 95% domestic content, achieving a breakthrough in hydrogen fuel cell technology for inland vessels in China; in November 2023, the nation’s first battery-swapping container ship for Yangtze tributaries, «Huaneng New Energy 1,» commenced operations…

Compared to coastal

Yangtze River

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, flowing for over 6,300 kilometers across China. It has been a cradle of Chinese civilization for millennia, serving as a vital artery for transportation, irrigation, and cultural exchange throughout history. The river is also home to the modern engineering marvel of the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest power station.

Yichang Ship Industrial Park

The Yichang Ship Industrial Park is a major modern shipbuilding hub located in Yichang, Hubei Province, China, on the banks of the Yangtze River. It was developed to leverage the city’s strategic position and long history as a river port to support China’s growing inland waterway transport and industrial capabilities. The park represents a significant concentration of shipbuilding, repair, and marine manufacturing facilities in the region.

Jianghan Customs

The Jianghan Customs House is a historic building in Wuhan, China, constructed in 1924 during the Republican era. It served as the official customs office for the vital Yangtze River trade, symbolizing the city’s economic importance. Today, it stands as a well-preserved example of European-style architecture from that period.

Longwang Temple

Longwang Temple is a traditional Chinese temple dedicated to the Dragon King, a deity associated with water and rainfall in Chinese folk religion. Historically, such temples were commonly built near water sources, and communities would pray there for favorable weather and protection from floods. While the exact history of this specific temple is unclear, it represents a significant part of China’s local religious and cultural heritage.

Qingchuan Pavilion

The Qingchuan Pavilion is a historic landmark in Wuhan, China, originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty. It is famously known as one of the «Three Famous Towers in the South of Yangtze River» and offers scenic views of the Yangtze and Han River confluence. The pavilion has been rebuilt several times, with its current structure dating from the Qing Dynasty, serving as a symbol of classical Chinese architecture and local culture.

Yellow Crane Tower

The Yellow Crane Tower is a famous Chinese tower located in Wuhan, Hubei Province, originally built in AD 223 during the Three Kingdoms period for military purposes. It has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout its history, with the current structure dating from 1985. It is celebrated in poetry and is a symbol of the city, known for its cultural significance and panoramic views of the Yangtze River.

Junlv Hao

I am not familiar with a specific place or cultural site named «Junlv Hao.» It is possible the name may be misspelled, refer to a very localized or lesser-known location, or be a personal/business name rather than a public cultural site. Could you please provide any additional context or check the spelling?

Yangtze River Three Gorges 1

The Three Gorges of the Yangtze River is a spectacular natural canyon system in China, historically famed for its perilous narrow passages and breathtaking scenery that has inspired poets and artists for millennia. Its modern history is now dominated by the colossal Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest power station, which was completed in the early 21st century and dramatically altered the river’s landscape and ecosystem.