GLOBALink | China's shipbuilders spearhead green transition as IMO sets 2050 net-zero target

DALIAN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- At a green ship development conference held in October last year in Dalian, a coastal city in northeast China's Liaoning Province and a key shipbuilding hub, Hengli Heavy Industry Group Co., Ltd. showcased its advancements in low-carbon vessel technology, drawing attention from European and Asian shipowners.

Hengli has built a comprehensive green industrial chain ranging from core components to entire vessel manufacturing -- and is capable of producing dual-fuel ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia and other options.

In the global push to combat climate change, the shipping industry, which is responsible for most of the world trade volume, faces mounting pressure to slash its carbon footprint. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) solidified this urgency in April 2025 by mandating its net-zero framework -- targeting carbon neutrality for international shipping by 2050.

Against this backdrop, China's shipbuilding sector is emerging as a pivotal force, leveraging both innovation and scale to accelerate the transition toward green vessels.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service