Hydrogen-electric tug first for China

Constructed by Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard, the ’Qing Dian Tuo 1’ was officially delivered to Qingdao Port on 26 June 2025.

As the first hydrogen-powered tug in China, the vessel marks a significant milestone in the development of green marine technologies and will help China move closer towards its drive for more sustainable port operations.

“This milestone marks a historic leap in the application of hydrogen energy in China’s marine vessels, offering a shining “Chinese solution” for the global shipping industry’s low-carbon transformation,” said a spokesperson Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard.

Zero-carbon operations

Nicknamed the ’Marine Hercules’, the tugboat boasts an 82-tonne towing force and reaches speeds of 14.2 knots under silent navigation.

Its hybrid system, which combines hydrogen fuel cells with a liquid-cooled lithium battery, delivers zero-carbon operations and is expected to cut 1,500 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Beyond its performance, the Qing Dian Tuo 1 incorporates several national firsts, including China’s largest port tug lithium battery capacity, first fully automatic shore charging system and the prestigious AUT-0 classification for electric propulsion.

The vessel is a key pillar in Qingdao Port’s broader hydrogen energy strategy.

In early 2025, the port also began testing ten hydrogen-powered rail cranes and 300kW hydrogen fuel cells, expanding the use of hydrogen across port infrastructure and helping accelerate its clean energy transition.