On November 4, it was reported that China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) announced that its subsidiary, Shanghai Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI), has taken the lead in developing low-carbon and intelligent technologies amid the "dual carbon" goals and the wave of digital transformation in the shipbuilding industry. SDARI has defined the future direction of global shipping with a series of groundbreaking achievements. In 2024, SDARI secured 22.5% of the global market share for new vessel design orders.
In the field of low-carbon and decarbonization, SDARI has established a comprehensive technical system ranging from energy-saving optimization to zero-carbon fuels. By leveraging CFD fluid dynamics simulations to optimize hull lines and applying energy-saving technologies such as bubble drag reduction and rotor sails, the institute has significantly reduced vessel operational energy consumption.
A more groundbreaking achievement is SDARI’s continued leadership in alternative fuel vessel designs. The construction of the world’s first ammonia-fueled 1,400-TEU container ship marks the practical implementation of ammonia as a viable fuel for the shipping industry. Equipped with a 350-cubic-meter ammonia fuel tank, the vessel achieves an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) approximately 94% below the baseline when powered by ammonia, reducing CO2 emissions by around 10,000 tons annually. It also achieves zero emissions in ports through high-voltage shore power technology. This project won the 5th "Shanghai Design 100+" award and has spurred domestic ammonia fuel-related industrial development.
Additionally, SDARI has developed and designed several pioneering vessels, including the world’s first ammonia dual-fuel 26,000-ton chemical tanker, the first green methanol dual-fuel 325,000-ton ore carrier, the first autonomous 740-TEU electric container ship, and the first large electric-driven fracturing vessel, "Offshore Oil 696." It has also set benchmarks for next-generation medium-sized gas carriers (MGCs), such as the 40,000-cubic-meter LPG/liquid ammonia carrier.
As a leader in China’s ship design sector, SDARI holds a significant global position with its full-spectrum vessel design capabilities, covering bulk carriers, container ships, tankers, offshore vessels, and specialized ships. Its Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) designs have become a core force in supporting the national strategy of "domestic shipbuilding for domestic shipping."
Once a niche segment over two decades ago, PCTCs have now become one of SDARI’s flagship products, with loading capacities increasing from a few thousand vehicles to a record 10,800 vehicles. The institute developed the world’s first LNG dual-fuel hybrid 3,600-vehicle PCTC, while the newly delivered 9,500-vehicle methanol-fuel-ready PCTC, "Anji Maosheng," was custom-built for automakers like SAIC Motor, aligning with global low-carbon shipping trends.
SDARI continues to expand its green vessel portfolio. The 64,000-ton LNG-reforming hydrogen-electric bulk carrier represents an innovative application of hydrogen in bulk transportation. The 50,000-cubic-meter ammonia bunkering vessel supports ammonia-fueled ships, while the 113,000-ton ammonia dual-fuel tanker further diversifies alternative fuel applications. All four new designs have received Approval in Principle (AiP) certificates from internationally renowned classification societies.
In the multipurpose vessel sector, the "GREEN OCTOPUS" series, featuring LNG and methanol fuel options, has become a benchmark for low-carbon multipurpose ships. Together with the "iOCTOPUS" smart series, they form a comprehensive product matrix covering nearly 40 vessel types.
For challenging navigation environments and emerging transport needs, SDARI has developed an icebreaker series for polar routes, integrating ice-strengthened structures with low-carbon propulsion systems to ensure safe and efficient Arctic navigation. Its liquid CO2 (LCO2) and liquid hydrogen (H2) carriers, featuring specialized storage and transport systems, provide critical infrastructure for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen energy development.
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