- CATL provides the electric tourist vessel with batteries with a capacity of 3,918 kWh and a range of 100 km.
- This validates the feasibility of pure electric technology in near-shore waters and provides passengers with a zero-emission, low-noise experience.
In addition to electric vehicles (EVs) and aircraft, CATL (HKG: 3750) is expanding the use of its batteries into more areas.
On July 25, China’s first pure electric tourist passenger ship, Yujian 77, co-developed by CATL, officially set sail in Xiamen Bay, the battery giant said on Friday.
The ship is equipped with CATL’s marine battery system, and its operation validates the feasibility of pure electric technology in near-shore waters, while providing passengers with a zero-emission, low-noise, and high-quality maritime travel experience, the company said.
This also marks the acceleration of the green transformation in the maritime tourism industry, CATL said.
CATL’s marine battery system adopts CTP (Cell To Pack) technology and integrated CCS (Combined Charging System) technology, with a battery pack energy density of 140 Wh/kg.
The system provides the Yujian 77 with a battery capacity of 3,918 kWh and a range of 100 km.
The battery pack uses NP (No Propagation) technology, which prevents thermal runaway from spreading at the cell level.
The ship is 49 meters long, 14.5 meters wide, can carry 358 passengers, and has a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour.
It has an IP68 protection rating and can withstand up to 1,296 hours of salt spray testing, according to CATL.
CATL’s marine battery system has obtained certification from major global classification societies including Bureau Veritas (BV), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), and Det Norske Veritas (DNV), the company said.
The Yujian 77 is expected to reduce fuel consumption by nearly 250 tons annually, with carbon dioxide emissions reduced by over 400 tons, equivalent to the carbon sequestration capacity of planting over 20,000 trees, according to CATL.
CATL is the world’s largest manufacturer of power batteries, with a global market share of 38.1 percent in January-May, according to data from South Korean market research firm SNE Research.
In China, CATL’s power battery installations in June reached 25.41 GWh, ranking first with a 43.67 percent market share, according to data from the China Automotive Battery Innovation Alliance (CABIA).
The battery maker unveiled its Condensed Battery at the Shanghai auto show in April 2023, stating that it has the potential to be used in electric aircraft.
In June 2024, it announced that it had successfully test-flown a 4-ton civil electric aircraft and plans to release an 8-ton civil electric aircraft between 2027 and 2028.
