Seacon tackles shipping talent gap with electric training boxship order

In a move to bridge the shipping talent gap and advance green maritime education, China’s Seacon Shipping has signed a contract with Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding for the construction of what is being hailed as the world’s first teaching electric containership.

The 406 teu vessel, designed for dual roles as both a containership and an educational platform, will be 104 m long and powered entirely by electricity. It will feature seven large-capacity battery modules, each with 1,999 kWh capacity, and utilise a three-electric propulsion system with multifunctional power mode switching to ensure operational flexibility. The ship will operate at a service speed of around 10 knots, suitable for coastal container transport.

What sets this vessel apart, however, is its unique academic focus. Designed specifically for training purposes, the ship will include lecture halls, reading rooms, conference spaces, and other educational facilities. It will be integrated into Seacon’s fleet and used as a hands-on training ground for future maritime professionals.

The newbuild should deliver in 2027, and the Hong Kong-listed, Qingdao-based owner and operator has secured an optional newbuilding slot for one more unit at the yard.

The initiative is part of Seacon Shipping’s broader collaboration with Shanghai Maritime University, announced earlier this year, to build a multifunctional green training ship aimed at addressing China’s growing shortage of high-end shipping talent. Seacon said in January that the shipping industry in Shanghai is currently grappling with a widening talent gap, particularly in areas aligned with emerging trends such as digitalisation, smart shipping, and environmental sustainability.