From June 13 to 15, the 17th International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition (SNEC PV Power Expo) took place in Shanghai. The exhibition saw the collaboration of COSCO SHIPPING Lines and COSCO SHIPPING Logistics & Supply Chain Management, showcasing COSCO SHIPPING’s extensive cooperation with the photovoltaic and smart energy sectors. They presented comprehensive, digital, and customized solutions for photovoltaic products along with related support services, further accelerating the growth of the photovoltaic and new energy industries and supporting the sustainable advancement of global new energy.

Leveraging digital transformation for a streamlined full-chain photovoltaic module transportation model

In line with the unique dynamics of the photovoltaic sector, COSCO SHIPPING has been integrating digital advancements to tailor comprehensive supply chain service pipelines for the photovoltaic industry. This integration enhances the group’s ability to deliver seamless, end-to-end services to its global key clients, leveraging the power of the supply chain control tower to afford customers with comprehensive end-to-end visibility. For instance, PANASIA Shipping, a subsidiary of COSCO SHIPPING Lines, has established a novel, comprehensive supply chain transportation model specifically for photovoltaic module clients.

This model encompasses a range of services from container handling to shipping, land transportation, and warehousing, offering a complete logistics solution. The shipping process is characterized by its transparency and traceability, allowing customers to monitor the location and status of their shipments at all times. By offering customized logistics solutions for photovoltaic clients, the company has achieved a balance of cost-efficiency and operational convenience and safety. Additionally, through dedicated consulting and concierge services, it assists customers in navigating transportation challenges, thereby establishing a dependable and efficient logistics conduit for photovoltaic products.

COSCO SHIPPING Ports’ subordinate terminals and yards

COSCO SHIPPING Ports, along with other affiliate entities such as COSCO SHIPPING Lines and COSCO SHIPPING Specialized Carriers capitalize on their global network to forge lasting partnerships with a multitude of photovoltaic and energy storage clients both domestically and internationally. Notably, the Zeebrugge Terminal in Belgium provides Longi and other leading photovoltaic companies with professional and high-quality overseas storage solutions. Since 2021, the Abu Dhabi Terminal in the United Arab Emirates has taken on the responsibility of handling the overseas segment logistics for large-scale photovoltaic projects in strategic regions such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai, supporting customers with on-site unpacking services and offering robust logistics support for their international project deployments.

New energy vehicle power battery industry chain logistics services

In recent years, COSCO SHIPPING has capitalized on the rising trend of smart energy by establishing comprehensive logistics and supply chain services centered around the power battery industry chain of new energy vehicles.

For lithium carbonate logistics, a key raw material for power batteries, the company has been authorized by futures delivery warehouses in Nanchang, Zhenjiang, and Shanghai following the listing of lithium carbonate products on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange in 2023. This authorization led to the production of China’s first batch of lithium carbonate futures warehouse receipts in Zhenjiang warehouse, offering lithium carbonate spot warehousing and logistics services that span the “main production area - main sales area”.

In terms of logistics for electrolyte, another kind of power battery raw material, the TANK container is employed as the carrier for the electrolyte. The entire process is conducted at low temperatures to ensure the stability of the electrolyte. The electrolyte tank containers are transported to overseas factories via various multimodal transportation methods such as land, sea, and rail. After delivery, the empty tanks are shipped back to China as general cargo. This approach effectively reduces the logistics costs at each stage and helps clients establish a complete logistics channel for exporting electrolytes to Poland and Indonesia.

Within the automotive power battery logistics sector, customized end-to-end logistics solutions are provided for well-known domestic power battery manufacturers. These solutions include “domestic warehouse + overseas warehouse” dual warehouse service, optimized product inventory distribution, and ratio adjustments. This ensures comprehensive coverage of enterprises’ logistics needs from domestic factories to overseas distribution and all the way to the terminal production line, significantly reducing overall logistics costs for customers.

In terms of the retired power battery recycling logistics, a national retired power battery recycling service platform was established in 2023. This platform serves new energy vehicle enterprise customers through a digital information system, enhancing efficiency and sustainability in the recycling process.

Embracing the light: jointly creating a sustainable future

COSCO SHIPPING is committed to green development, exploring clean energy alternatives across all facets of enterprise production. The company collaborates with the photovoltaic and smart energy sectors to foster a sustainable future.

-- By integrating solar energy technology onto the massive ro-ro vessel, COSCO TENGFEI, the vessel harnesses solar energy for electricity conversion, powering onboard lighting. Following the solar PV system upgrade completed in November 2023, the ship is anticipated to generate an average of 170,000 kWh per year. It is expected to conserve roughly 46.03 tons of fuel annually, leading to an estimated annual carbon emission reduction of approximately 182.79 tons.

-- Through the establishment of a 1.13MW distributed photovoltaic power generation system at the Ningbo COSCO SHIPPING Cold Chain Logistics Park, combining photovoltaic systems with refrigeration working fluid circulation water auxiliary systems, there are expectations of notable reductions in power consumption and emissions. The park is expected to generate about 1,050,500 kWh of power annually, reducing carbon emissions by 1,044 tons, dust by 284.87 tons, sulfur dioxide emissions by 72 tons, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 36 tons.

-- Development of a near-zero carbon demonstration zone in Boao. Launched on March 18 this year, the Boao Near-Zero Carbon Demonstration Zone located on Dongyu Island, Hainan Province, has been reported to decrease carbon emissions (including offset measures) by 11,617.7 tons annually, while achieving an annual supply of clean electricity amounting to 22.57 million kWh.

-- At the COSCO SHIPPING Ports Wuhan Terminal, recognized as China’s first 5G smart port, distributed photovoltaic power generation projects have been introduced and promoted. This initiative aims to refine the energy structure of the port area, diminish carbon emissions, and establish distributed photovoltaic power stations on the rooftops of buildings within the terminal site. Such efforts aid the terminal in achieving green transformation and contribute to the protection of the Yangtze River through green development.

-- Yangpu International Container Terminal remains dedicated to advancing the use of alternative power supply across various sectors. Through initiatives such as the full electrification of mobile operating machinery, rooftop photovoltaic power generation, and ship-shore power connections, the terminal comprehensively optimizes the port area’s energy structure. From January 2023 to April 2024, this effort is expected to result in a carbon emission reduction of 1,650 tons.

--Accelerating the deployment of COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry’s smart energy management systems forms part of the strategy to encourage green, low-carbon systematic construction among subsidiary enterprises. COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry boasts an installed photovoltaic coverage of 758,500 square meters and an installed capacity of 74.81MW, accounting for approximately 9% of the total electricity consumption in production.

-- Tianjin COSCO Goldwind New Energy, a joint venture between COSCO SHIPPING Tianjin and Goldwind Technology, along with Tianjin COSCO SHIPPING Green and Low-Carbon Development Co., Ltd., collectively hold roughly 200MW of photovoltaic projects. These entities are collaborating with Tianjin Port to establish the world’s first “zero-carbon terminal.”

Moving forward, COSCO SHIPPING will deepen its collaboration with green supply chain customers in sectors like photovoltaics and energy storage, committed to continually innovating service models, fostering the growth and prosperity of the global new energy industry, and contributing significantly to achieving the “dual carbon” goal.