Yangtze River cruise ships go smart
2024-05-20 20:05:00
By Yan Wanqin, Yichang International Communication Studio
Xilingxia Heyue, the first new energy cruise ship equipped with an autonomous driving system, made its maiden voyage in Yichang on May 18.
Xilingxia Heyue, the first new energy cruise ship equipped with an autonomous driving system, made its maiden voyage in Yichang on May 18.
Xilingxia Heyue docked at the Three Gorges Tourist Center in Yichang.
The driving system, newly developed for the Yangtze River, allows the ship to enter and exit the port as well as navigate and pass through locks autonomously.
Xilingxia Heyue is the first second-generation new energy ship, debuting after Changjiang Sanxia 1, the world's largest electric cruise ship.
With a capacity of 780 passengers, Xilingxia Heyue will mainly operate the routes within the Two Dams and One Gorge area which includes the Gezhouba Dam, Three Gorges Dam and Xiling Gorge.
Additionally, the ship will be used for Yangtze River Night Cruise and will pass through the Three Gorges ship lift.
Being powered by a hybrid of oil and electricity, the ship is equipped with a lithium battery system, a fuel oil generator and a photovoltaic system. It is capable of sailing about 500 kilometers in a single charge.
"The new ship is estimated to cut the usage of fuel oil by more than 200 tons and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 600 tons per year compared to traditional fuel-powered ships," said Ye Yong, head of the tourism development department of Hubei Three Gorges Tourism Group.
With the help of investment from Hubei Three Gorges Tourism Group of the Yichang City Development Group, the construction of the ship began in November 2022.
Hubei Three Gorges Tourism Group has completed two new energy cruise ships, and there are three new energy cruise ships and one new energy yacht currently under construction.
The investment in new energy cruise ships and yachts and supporting facilities is expected to exceed 1.5 billion yuan in the next five years, according to Ye.
Xilingxia Heyue is the first second-generation new energy ship, debuting after Changjiang Sanxia 1, the world's largest electric cruise ship.
With a capacity of 780 passengers, Xilingxia Heyue will mainly operate the routes within the Two Dams and One Gorge area which includes the Gezhouba Dam, Three Gorges Dam and Xiling Gorge.
Additionally, the ship will be used for Yangtze River Night Cruise and will pass through the Three Gorges ship lift.
Being powered by a hybrid of oil and electricity, the ship is equipped with a lithium battery system, a fuel oil generator and a photovoltaic system. It is capable of sailing about 500 kilometers in a single charge.
"The new ship is estimated to cut the usage of fuel oil by more than 200 tons and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 600 tons per year compared to traditional fuel-powered ships," said Ye Yong, head of the tourism development department of Hubei Three Gorges Tourism Group.
With the help of investment from Hubei Three Gorges Tourism Group of the Yichang City Development Group, the construction of the ship began in November 2022.
Hubei Three Gorges Tourism Group has completed two new energy cruise ships, and there are three new energy cruise ships and one new energy yacht currently under construction.
The investment in new energy cruise ships and yachts and supporting facilities is expected to exceed 1.5 billion yuan in the next five years, according to Ye.
