The hydrogen fuel cell-powered service vessle Photo: Screenshot of China Three Gorges Corportaion's promotional materal

China's first hydrogen fuel cell powered 500-kilowatt-service vessel was put into service recently in Zhongshan, South China's Guangdong Province, marking a breakthrough in the application China's hydrogen technology in the marine sector, China Media Group reported on Tuesday.

With the maximum speed of 28 kilometers per hour and a maximum cruise range of 200 kilometers, the vessel will be used in transporting, patrolling and emergency operations in waters between the Three Gorges Dam and the Gezhouba Dam, and the Three Gorges reservoir, according to the report.

The construction of the vessel began on May 17, 2022. Built by China Yangtze Power Co under the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG), and China State Shipbuilding Corporation, the vessel was certified by China Classification Society, CTG noted via its official WeChat account on Friday.

The vessel is powered by a domestically developed hydrogen fuel cell and a supportive lithium battery, creating less noise, cost and less pollution. Experts noted that the vessel has largest generated power and energy storage among service vessels worldwide.

Over the next few years, China will see a rapid growth in number of modified and newly-built hydrogen-powered ships, and the market size of domestic hydrogen fuel cell will reach the benchmark of 10 billion yuan ($1,45 billion), the report added.

CTG said in the announcement that the vessel was a successful model for China's explorations in applying hydrogen power technology in the river watercraft sector, which will also accelerate the pace of achieving country's carbon emission reduction goals.

Global Times