China's first electric floating garbage collection ship completes trial run
2025-08-21 19:08:16
By Hu Yikai.
China’s first all-electric floating garbage cleanup and transfer ship for inland rivers, the Three Gorges Dam Protection No. 1, successfully completed its trial voyage on August 20 and was deemed seaworthy. The vessel is designed to address persistent pollution challenges while advancing emission-free navigation.
The Three Gorges Dam Protection No. 1 completes trial run. Photo by Peng Qiang.
Measuring 82 meters long and 13.76 meters wide, the ship can reach speeds of 18 km/h and operate within a 150-km range. Equipped with a high-precision mechanical arm and an octopus-type grab bucket, it can lift up to 15 tons of garbage per operation.
After the Three Gorges Project began impoundment, slower water flow caused floating debris from upstream, including deadwood, household waste, and plastic foam, to accumulate, posing risks to both ecosystems and navigation safety.
Since 2004, Zigui County in Yichang has deployed fossil-fueled cleanup vessels more than 6,500 times annually, but these operations were inefficient, noisy, and risked secondary oil contamination.
The new electric ship offers three key improvements over conventional methods.
First, it has zero emissions and low noise, estimated to reduce 25,300 tons of CO₂ emissions over its lifespan.
Second, it integrates collection, storage, and transfer capabilities, eliminating the need for smaller transfer vessels and reducing transit frequency.
Third, during non-flood seasons, it can transport bulk cargo such as phosphate ore, saving an estimated 20 million yuan (US$2.8 million) over 20 years.
The Three Gorges Dam Protection No. 1 marks an important step toward sustainable and efficient river cleanup operations in China.
Hu Xingjun, Peng Qiang, and Shi Li contributed to this story.
China’s first all-electric floating garbage cleanup and transfer ship for inland rivers, the Three Gorges Dam Protection No. 1, successfully completed its trial voyage on August 20 and was deemed seaworthy. The vessel is designed to address persistent pollution challenges while advancing emission-free navigation.
The Three Gorges Dam Protection No. 1 completes trial run. Photo by Peng Qiang. Measuring 82 meters long and 13.76 meters wide, the ship can reach speeds of 18 km/h and operate within a 150-km range. Equipped with a high-precision mechanical arm and an octopus-type grab bucket, it can lift up to 15 tons of garbage per operation.
After the Three Gorges Project began impoundment, slower water flow caused floating debris from upstream, including deadwood, household waste, and plastic foam, to accumulate, posing risks to both ecosystems and navigation safety.
Since 2004, Zigui County in Yichang has deployed fossil-fueled cleanup vessels more than 6,500 times annually, but these operations were inefficient, noisy, and risked secondary oil contamination.
The new electric ship offers three key improvements over conventional methods.
First, it has zero emissions and low noise, estimated to reduce 25,300 tons of CO₂ emissions over its lifespan.
Second, it integrates collection, storage, and transfer capabilities, eliminating the need for smaller transfer vessels and reducing transit frequency.
Third, during non-flood seasons, it can transport bulk cargo such as phosphate ore, saving an estimated 20 million yuan (US$2.8 million) over 20 years.
The Three Gorges Dam Protection No. 1 marks an important step toward sustainable and efficient river cleanup operations in China.
Hu Xingjun, Peng Qiang, and Shi Li contributed to this story.
