China Launches Its Largest PV+LNG Car Carrier Powered by LONGi Solar

The Yuanhai Kou, China's largest ocean-going dual-fuel (Photovoltaic + LNG) car carrier, has officially embarked on its maiden voyage from Nansha Port, fully loaded with thousands of domestically produced vehicles.

According to the firm's statement, over 90 percent of the shipment consists of new energy vehicles (NEVs), destined for markets in Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Tunisia. Equipped with a 302.8 kW distributed photovoltaic (PV) system featuring over 500 of LONGi’s Sea-Shield series modules, the vessel is setting sail into the future of sustainable shipping. LONGi, one of the world’s foremost leaders in solar technology, provided the high-efficiency PV modules specifically designed to withstand the salt-laden, high-vibration marine environment.

“We’re not just delivering cars. We’re exporting a vision of low-carbon, intelligent shipping,” said a LONGi spokesperson. At 199.9 meters in length and 68,252 gross tons, the Yuanhai Kou can carry up to 7,000 standard vehicles across 12 decks. From sedans and buses to MAFI cargo, it’s engineered to handle a diverse range of automotive cargo with precision. Its clean-energy credentials are equally robust. The PV system onboard is expected to generate 410,000 kWh of electricity annually, saving approximately 111 tons of fuel and reducing CO₂ emissions by nearly 346 tons, the equivalent of planting 38,000 trees each year.

LONGi’s Sea-Shield modules are purpose-built for maritime use, boasting enhanced salt spray resistance, waterproofing, and structural durability thanks to anti-corrosion frames and reinforced sealing technologies. This ensures uninterrupted green power generation even amid turbulent marine conditions.

The ship also uses LNG dual-fuel engines, reducing sulfur oxide emissions by 90 percent, nitrogen oxides by 85 percent, and carbon emissions by up to 25 percent compared to traditional fuel.

With this project, China not only showcases its strength in clean tech and shipping but also sends a powerful message: the journey toward a decarbonized future isn’t just underway, it’s already at sea.

As LONGi continues to innovate for high-demand environments, the company remains committed to driving decarbonization in global logistics., the firm said in its statement.The Yuanhai Kou is a floating statement of intent, a testament to how solar tech, when paired with smart design and clean fuels, can redefine entire industries. “This ship is not just a carrier, it's a carrier of China's clean energy vision,” said a port official in Nansha.