On November 27, the construction of the new generation high-end Yangtze River cruise ship “Yangtze River No. 7,” invested by Chongqing Changjiang Shipping Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “China Changhang Chongqing Company”), officially commenced at the Haimen base of China Merchants Industry. The “Yangtze River No. 7” cruise ship is the first among luxury Yangtze River inland cruise ships to utilize methanol as a single green fuel. Its construction is of significant importance for leading the green upgrade of the Yangtze River cruise tourism industry and enhancing its service quality.
China Changhang Chongqing Company is an enterprise under the China Changjiang Shipping Group Corporation, affiliated with China Merchants Group, specializing in Yangtze River cruise tourism business. It is committed to building “China’s leading comprehensive service enterprise for high-quality inland river cruise tourism.” As a pioneer and forerunner in Yangtze River cruise tourism, China Changhang Chongqing Company’s fleet has a profound heritage and is renowned as the “National Guest Fleet,” forming a unique brand influence. The currently operated “Yangtze River No. 3” cruise ship is the only one on the Yangtze River to have received the additional notations of “Green Ship-3,” “Ship Comfort-(Noise 3),” and “Ship Comfort-(Vibration 3)” from the China Classification Society. Since its deployment, it has become a benchmark for Yangtze River cruise ships renowned for its advanced operational philosophy and exceptional service capabilities.
With the deepening implementation of the “Yangtze River Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China” and the advancement of the national green transportation strategy, the application of methanol fuel in the ship field has become an industry trend. The official commencement of the “Yangtze River No. 7” cruise ship marks the upcoming entry of luxury Yangtze River inland cruise ships into a new period of dual-track development in “zero-carbon transformation” and “intelligent upgrade.” This cruise ship has an overall length of 149.99 meters, a molded breadth of 23.20 meters, a molded depth of 4.70 meters, a designed draft of 3 meters, a designed speed of 25 km/h, and a maximum passenger capacity of 638. With “green + intelligent” as its core highlights, the methanol single-fuel power system it adopts can reduce emissions by 99% for sulfur compounds, 60% for nitrogen oxides, and 95% for particulate matter compared to traditional fuel power, achieving a 20% carbon emission reduction. The intelligent applications it carries, such as the intelligent energy efficiency management system, the cruise operation smart management system, and the smart cabin system, will provide tourists with a more comfortable, quiet, and pleasant travel experience, achieving the highest level of the China Classification Society’s “Green Ship” standards for indicators such as vibration reduction, noise reduction, and comfort.
The “Yangtze River No. 7” cruise ship is expected to be delivered by the end of December 2026 and will operate the “Chongqing-Shanghai” full-range leisure vacation tourism route in the Yangtze River Basin. In terms of operational philosophy, the cruise ship envisions showcasing the unique cultural connotation and characteristics of the new era of the new generation of high-end Yangtze River cruise ships. Through more environmentally friendly power, more intelligent experiences, and a richer cultural connotation, it will connect the world heritage and intangible cultural heritage resources along the Yangtze River, injecting new momentum into the high-quality development of the Yangtze River International Golden Tourism Belt.
Representatives from the Nantong Office of the China Classification Society (CCS), the 711 Research Institute of CSSC, Hubei Donghu Laboratory, Chongqing Ship Design Institute, Huashang Energy, Nanjing Iron and Steel Group, China Merchants Industry Haimen Shipyard, and China Changhang Chongqing Company attended the ceremony.
