ADB BRIEFSNO. 289FEBRUARY 2024New Energy Applications for Ports and Inland Waterway Shipping in the People’s Republic of ChinaKEY POINTS• The Asian Development Bank is working with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to study and promote the use of new energy technologies in ports and inland waterway shipping.• The PRC aims to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in its inland waterway sector, with the target of carbon neutrality by 2060. • A Three-Step Carbon-Reduction Plan for Port Development is proposed to accelerate the decarbonization of ports by adopting new energy technologies, improving energy efficiency in terminals and introducing port automation.• The prospects for new energy technologies in inland waterway shipping are very promising, including options such as liquefied natural gas–powered and all-electric inland waterway vessels. • Hybrid vessels (e.g., diesel- or gas-electric) could be used during the transition to zero-emission vessels. • Policies should be introduced to expedite new energy applications in the PRC—for instance, an expanded introduction of multi-energy microgrids in ports and standardized solutions for vessels. ISBN 978-92-9270-601-2 (print)ISBN 978-92-9270-602-9 (electronic) ISSN 2071-7202 (print)ISSN 2218-2675 (electronic)Publication Stock No. BRF240009-2DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22617/BRF240009-2INTRODUCTIONThis policy brief summarizes the policy recommendations prepared by a technical assistance project of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that provided technical support and policy advice to accelerate the adoption of new energy technologies in ports and inland waterway shipping in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The recommendations align with the country’s ambitions to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The project assessed experiences and lessons learned from completed pilot projects—such as those involving the use of hydrogen-powered equipment in ports and the operation of all-electric barges—and reviewed international best practices. Nicolás Dei CastelliSenior Transport Specialist Asian Development BankRichard van LiereInland Waterway Transport and Green Energy SpecialistSTC-NestraYang JiaqiPort, Shipping, and Integrated Logistics Management Specialist Wuhan University of TechnologyYuan Chengqing Reliability and Green Technology of Ship Power Systems Specialist Wuhan University of TechnologyHarrie de LeijerPorts and Inland Waterway Transport SpecialistSTC-NestraYan Xinping Intelligent Transportation and Green Energy Specialist Wuhan University of TechnologyLiu Qing Traffic Safety Engineering and Transportation System Optimization Decision Specialist Wuhan University of TechnologyNote: ADB recognizes “China” as the People’s Republic of China.ADB BRIEFS NO. 2892Regarding future investments, the project recommended research and policy directions for new energy applications in ports and in...
