The Ministry of Transport and two other departments issued an action plan to promote the application of new energy vessels in inland waterways, advancing their adoption across various scenarios.

Recently, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the National Energy Administration jointly issued the "Action Plan for the Promotion and Application of Inland New Energy Ships (2026–2030)" (referred to as the "Plan"), proposing to optimize the industrial structure, energy structure, and transport structure of China. The plan adheres to market leadership, government guidance, scenario-driven innovation, and breakthroughs. On the basis of the orderly development of liquefied natural gas-powered vessels, it focuses on promoting the full-scenario application, full-chain support, and high-standard development of inland electric and methanol-powered ships.

Inland waterway shipping is an important part of the comprehensive transport system and a key area for green and low-carbon transition. Currently, China's overall scale of inland new energy ships ranks among the top in the world, and its application level is globally leading. By the end of 2025, the number of inland clean energy vessels in China will exceed 1,200, with a batch of high-tech inland new energy ships put into operation.

Looking to the future, the "Plan" outlines phased development goals. By 2028, the number of inland new energy ships will double compared to 2025, achieving preliminary full-scenario demonstration applications. The methanol refueling service capacity along the Yangtze River trunk line will be fully connected, and the charging and battery-swapping facilities for ships in the Yangtze River Delta water network will become essentially integrated. A "two horizontal and one vertical" green shipping corridor and pilot areas for ship electrification in the Yangtze River Delta will be basically established, forming a 3,000-kilometer zero-carbon water transport corridor. By 2030, the large-scale application of new energy vessels will be initially realized.

The "Plan" outlines 11 key tasks, including promoting multi-scenario classified application of new energy vessels, enhancing energy supply guarantees, encouraging innovative business models, strengthening manufacturing industry support, optimizing operation management, improving standards and norms, establishing a sound supervision and management system, and advancing breakthroughs in key technologies. It also calls for strengthening policy support, encouraging pilot trials, and enhancing organizational implementation.