Wah Kwong NatPower and Huzhou Wuxing Ruituo have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop zero-carbon shipping corridors across key inland waterways.
The two parties will use their expertise in international shipping and local energy infrastructure capability, to jointly create a comprehensive network of electric-vessel charging and battery-swapping facilities, integrating energy supply, digital services and operational systems into a single cohesive framework. Starting in China in the Hangzhou–Jiaxing–Huzhou region of northern Zhejiang, the initiative is intended to expand across major inland waterway networks, offering a globally replicable blueprint for low-carbon inland navigation.
The city of Huzhou is a recognised area for piloting the green transformation of inland waterway transport as the city has already implemented a comprehensive vessel electrification plan, supported by targeted investments in charging infrastructure and grid capacity. Importantly, it is building a complete low-carbon ecosystem that connects smart vessel manufacturing, renewable energy supply and the operation of zero-emission routes. The convergence of policy, infrastructure and industrial capability makes Huzhou a key base for scalable international deployment.
Under the agreement, charging and battery-swapping facilities will be installed along major container and bulk cargo routes, connecting key ports, anchorage points and operational hubs. Alongside the physical build-out, the partnership will introduce a unified digital platform, together with carbon emissions monitoring and certification systems, allowing emissions reductions to be tracked with precision.
Wah Kwong NatPower, a joint venture between Wah Kwong Maritime and international clean energy infrastructure developer NatPower Marine, combines maritime operational depth and international energy network expertise. Wuxing Ruituo, part of the Huzhou Wuxing Cultural Tourism Investment Development Group, contributes in-depth local experience in infrastructure delivery, resource integration and public sector coordination.
The partners said the project is intended not only to support regional decarbonisation but also to create a model for scaling zero-emission inland shipping solutions more widely.
Vincent Ni, General Manager of Wah Kwong NatPower, said: ‘Electrification is the most direct route to decarbonising inland waterways, but it only works when energy infrastructure and vessel operations are developed together, not separately. Our partnership with Wuxing Ruituo allows us to combine international best practice with strong local execution capability, delivering a charging network that is efficient today and scalable tomorrow. We see this as a real-world model for the industry, starting in Huzhou and extending across wider international markets.’
Tao Jing, Chairman of the Wuxing Culture & Tourism Group, said: ‘Green and low-carbon development is the core direction of industrial growth, and the electrification of inland waterway shipping is a key measure in advancing the green transformation of the transport sector. Our partnership with Wah Kwong NatPower demonstrates how local capability, international energy technologies, and commercial operating experience can come together to create a model for a zero-carbon route. We will continue to deepen collaboration across the value chain and drive the low-carbon and intelligent upgrading of regional water transport systems.’
