The Pinglu Canal will officially open to navigation on September 16. As the first strategic grand canal connecting inland rivers to the sea since the founding of the People's Republic of China, it links the Golden Waterway of the Xijiang River with the Beibu Gulf, turning the blueprint of "connecting rivers to the sea" into reality.
On the eve of navigation, vessels Beigang Canal 001 and Beigang Canal 002, equipped with Yuchai YC6TFN marine engines, successfully completed sea trials. These 5,000-ton demonstration vessels for the canal are fitted with powerful and clean "green hearts".
Green Power - Clean and Cost-effective
For ship owners, green power is not an optional choice, but a sound economic decision.
LNG is generally cheaper than diesel. Tailored for the operating conditions of the Pinglu Canal, Yuchai's engineering team carried out special matching development, endowing the gas engine with features of high torque at low speed and high-efficiency clean combustion. For the 5,000-ton demonstration vessels including Beigang Canal 001 and Beigang Canal 002, each vessel can save more than one million RMB in fuel costs per year compared with diesel power, effectively safeguarding ship owners' profits.
While cutting costs, the environmental performance is equally outstanding. Compared with diesel power, LNG marine power reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 15%–20%, almost eliminates sulfur oxide emissions, cuts nitrogen oxide emissions by 80%–90%, and reduces particulate matter by over 95%, adding further protection to the blue sky and clear waters of magnificent Guangxi.
Diversified Layout to Build Zero-carbon Marine Power System
Yuchai has deployed clean-energy marine power products to empower the green transition of inland river and river-sea shipping. At present, Yuchai LNG marine engines including YC4DN, YC6TFN, YC6TDN, YC6JN and YC8CAXN have been supplied in batches for the Yangtze River, Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Pearl River and Xijiang River basins.
Targeting the long-term zero-carbon goals, Yuchai makes breakthroughs across multiple technical tracks and develops a range of methanol-fueled marine engines simultaneously. Among them, YC6TFM, China's most powerful spark-ignited pure methanol engine, has obtained the CCS certificate. The hydrogen-fueled marine engine has finished the first phase of on-board commissioning. Ammonia-fueled marine engines, as well as electric direct-drive solutions based on flywheel range extenders and combined electric power solutions integrating flywheel range extenders and energy storage systems, are under steady development.
For canal water systems, Yuchai has a clear implementation strategy for green marine engines: LNG as the primary solution and methanol for demonstration in the near term, with transition to hydrogen and ammonia power in the long run.
Complete Low, Medium & High-speed Solutions for Full-range Water Transport Conditions
Yuchai has deep engagement in inland, coastal and ocean-going marine engine markets, and can provide diversified complete power solutions of low, medium and high speeds for passenger ships, cargo ships, fishing vessels, official ships, yachts and other segmented sectors.
Yuchai develops customized products according to vessel demands in different water areas: marine power of 1,500–2,000 horsepower for ship owners on the upper Yangtze River; main marine engines of 400–900 horsepower for the Xijiang River, Pearl River and Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. For ocean-going shipping, low-speed engines of 5,900–105,000 horsepower are developed for large ocean-going vessels such as container ships and bulk carriers. Meanwhile, Yuchai covers full-range marine auxiliary engines, including diesel and gas auxiliary products of 50kW–1600kW, forming a comprehensive product matrix covering main engines and auxiliary engines.
The Pinglu Canal ushers in a new era, with green power leading the way. Vessels powered by Yuchai green engines are sailing toward broader rivers and seas along the Pinglu Canal.