中部水运大省湖北，盯上了下一个新能源“风口”

Core Insights - The penetration rate of electric vehicles in China has surpassed 50%, marking a significant milestone for the next wave of opportunities in the shipping industry, particularly in electric vessels [1] - The electric vessel market in China is projected to exceed 36 billion yuan by 2026, with a global market share of electric vessels expected to reach 15% by 2030 [1] Group 1: Industry Developments - Hubei province, a major water transport hub, is accelerating its investment in the electric vessel industry, aiming for a shipbuilding output value of over 130 billion yuan by 2027, with an annual growth rate exceeding 15% [2] - The Yangtze River Economic Belt is increasingly recognized for its importance, with cargo throughput at Yangtze River ports expected to reach 3.06 billion tons in the first three quarters of this year, a year-on-year increase of 4.9% [3] - The transition to green energy in the Yangtze River shipping sector is anticipated to create a trillion-yuan market, driven by the dual carbon goals [4] Group 2: Technological Advancements - The world's first 10,000-ton pure electric bulk carrier, "Gezhouba," was launched in Hubei, featuring a battery system equivalent to the energy of 500 electric vehicles, capable of replacing approximately 617.5 tons of fuel annually and reducing CO2 emissions by about 2,052 tons [6] - Currently, less than 1% of China's inland vessels are powered by new energy, indicating significant potential for green transformation in the sector [6] Group 3: Policy and Strategic Initiatives - The "Hubei Plan" outlines a strategy for the province's inland vessel industry to focus on green, intelligent, standardized, high-end, and international development, aiming to maintain a leading market share in electric vessel core power systems [12] - The plan emphasizes the need for collaboration among Hubei's cities to form a cohesive industrial cluster, enhancing the province's competitive edge in the electric vessel market [14][15] Group 4: Market Position and Competitiveness - Hubei has established a comprehensive industrial chain with 53 shipbuilding enterprises and over 300 supporting companies, leading the nation with a 62% market share in electric vessel core power systems [9] - The province's shipbuilding industry achieved an output value of 72.71 billion yuan in the first three quarters of 2025, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 17.3% [11]