At 9:58 AM on October 10, 2025, the construction of a series of 16 18,000-ton class methanol-electric hybrid multi-purpose vessels, built by Jiangxi Pi Shipbuilding Technology Development Co., Ltd. for Jiangxi Tongdu Green Shipping Technology Co., Ltd., officially commenced with the steel-cutting ceremony at Workshop 203 of the Block Manufacturing Department of Xinjiangzhou Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.
Attending the ceremony were: Deng Fanghua, General Manager of Ruichang State-Owned Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd.; Li Hongxue, Deputy General Manager; Dai Weiwei, Investment Department Manager; He Weidong, Chairman of Jiangxi Tongdu Green Shipping; He Yufeng, Deputy General Manager of Ruichang Port Investment Development Co., Ltd.; Xu Ruimin, Deputy General Manager; Zhu Jinsheng, Deputy General Manager; Cao Zhongwang, Chief Engineer; Xu Weiguo, Director of the Maritime Development Department of Yangtze River Financial Holdings Co., Ltd.; Li Zhanglong, Assistant Minister; Li Chen, Vice President of Qinshi Group and Chairman of Pi; Huang Lan, Chairman of Xinjiangzhou Shipbuilding Heavy Industry; Wu Qiuping, General Manager; Liu Yongfeng, Director of the China Classification Society (CCS) Jiujiang Office; Sun Changhua, Deputy Chief Engineer of Shanghai Jiahao Shipbuilding Technology Development Company; and Wang Henggui, Leader of the Shipowner’s Site Team. The ceremony was presided over by Yang Liu, Executive Deputy General Manager of Pi.
At the ceremony, He Weidong, Chairman of Jiangxi Tongdu Green Shipping, delivered a speech expressing confidence and expectations for the project. Subsequently, Deng Fanghua, General Manager of Ruichang State-Owned Investment Holding Group; Xu Weiguo, Director of the Maritime Development Department of Yangtze River Financial Holdings; and Li Chen, Vice President of Qinshi Group and Chairman of Pi, jointly initiated the steel-cutting procedure, marking the official start of the construction phase for this vessel series.
As the currently largest-tonnage and longest-range new energy vessels on the Yangtze River route, this series of 18,000-ton class methanol-electric hybrid multi-purpose vessels has an overall length of 139.6 meters, a beam of 25.6 meters, a depth of 8 meters, and a full load draft of 7 meters (bulk cargo) / 6 meters (containers). They adopt a methanol fuel and battery hybrid power system, equipped with twin engines, twin propellers, and twin rudders. The endurance is ≥2,750 kilometers, with a self-sustainability of 15 days, and the navigation area covers inland river A and B zones. This vessel series will be classed with the China Classification Society (CCS) and will be strictly designed and built in accordance with CCS rules. Guided by the “dual carbon” goals, the green transformation of inland waterway shipping is imperative. Compared to traditional vessels, this series significantly reduces pollutant emissions, with PM emissions reduced by over 98% and nitrogen oxide emissions reduced by 82%, perfectly aligning with the needs of green shipping.
It is understood that Jiangxi Tongdu Green Shipping Technology Co., Ltd. was established in March this year with a registered capital of 100 million RMB. It is held by Ruichang State-Owned Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd. (40%), Qinshi Group (30%), Jiangsu New Yangzi Commerce and Trade Co., Ltd. (20%), and Zhuhai Qihang New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (10%).
Previously, at the first shareholders’ meeting and board of directors of Jiangxi Tongdu Green Shipping Technology Co., Ltd. held in June this year, the investment plan for 16 15,000-ton methanol hybrid-electric multi-purpose vessels was approved, clearly specifying construction at Xinjiangzhou Shipbuilding Heavy Industry.
Xinjiangzhou Shipbuilding Heavy Industry was established on March 31, 2023, with a registered capital of 50 million RMB, and commenced operations in late November of the same year. Its predecessor, Jiangxi Jiangzhou United Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., was restructured from the state-owned Jiangzhou Shipyard (Factory 6214), an old state-owned factory established in 1969. The state-owned Jiangzhou Shipyard was one of the key national “Third Front” construction projects in the 1970s and was the largest shipbuilding enterprise in Jiangxi, employing over 7,000 people at its peak.
The investment entities of Xinjiangzhou Shipbuilding Heavy Industry are Qinshi Group Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Yangship Investment Development Co., Ltd. Qinshi Group Co., Ltd. is the controlling parent company of the listed company Tianhai Integration Defense Equipment Technology Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Yangship Investment Development Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group. Xinjiangzhou Shipbuilding Heavy Industry focuses on the small and medium-sized vessel market, specializing in the new construction of liquid cargo ships, feeder container bulk carriers, and multi-purpose heavy-lift vessels.
In response to the national dual carbon development strategy, Xinjiangzhou Shipbuilding Heavy Industry established the Special Vessel Business Division in October 2024 and incubated Jiangxi Pi Shipbuilding Technology Development Co., Ltd. in July 2025.
According to the plan, Pi intends to invest 500 million RMB to construct the Xinjiangzhou New Energy Shipbuilding Project within the plant area of Xinjiangzhou Shipbuilding Heavy Industry in Xiachaohu, Matou Town, Ruichang City, Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province. This project is a new energy shipbuilding base project, including a new energy shipbuilding berth and an integrated block manufacturing and assembly area. The total land area is 104.24 mu, with a construction area of approximately 40,000 square meters, about 500 sets of shipbuilding-specific equipment, building one steel cutting and processing workshop, one small assembly workshop, two block manufacturing workshops, and two horizontal shipbuilding platforms. The production target of this project is to build 12 15,000-ton class new energy vessels annually, with the representative ship type being the 15,000-ton class methanol-electric hybrid multi-purpose vessel, using methanol fuel and batteries (hybrid).
The commencement of this series of 18,000-ton class methanol-electric hybrid multi-purpose vessels is not only a key step for Pi in practicing the “integration of ship, port, shipping, and trade” development model but also injects momentum into building the Xinjiangzhou New Energy Shipbuilding Base. Next, Pi will strictly adhere to the principle of “safety first, quality as the foundation, efficiency as the priority,” form the strongest team, invest the best resources, and fully advance the project construction to ensure the high-quality delivery of the 18,000-ton class methanol-electric hybrid multi-purpose vessel series on schedule. Pi will also take this commencement as an opportunity to continue deepening its efforts in the field of new energy vessels, contributing “Xinjiangzhou strength” to promoting the high-quality development of China’s inland waterway shipping, building a green comprehensive transportation system, establishing Jiujiang standards for new energy ship types, and leading the new energy vessel development on the golden waterway!
