ePropulsion Opens South China's First CCS-Accredited Onshore Testing Platform for Green and Intelligent Vessels

ePropulsion, a global leader in electric marine propulsion systems and services, has opened the Green and Intelligent Ships Testing (GIST) Onshore Joint Debugging Laboratory in Songshan Lake, Dongguan, marking the launch of South China’s first onshore joint debugging test platform for green and intelligent vessels recognised by the China Classification Society (CCS). The facility provides a new regional capability for testing and verifying new-energy vessel systems and is expected to support the growing marine electrification sector in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The laboratory was jointly established by ePropulsion Technology, Songshan Lake Science City Group and the Songshan Lake International Robotics Research Institute. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from maritime authorities, CCS, industry partners and research institutions.

A new testing capability for electric and hybrid vessels

The approximately 1,000 m² facility enables simulation and verification of multiple marine power system configurations, including fully electric and hybrid propulsion systems.

Equipped with specialised testing equipment, the laboratory supports nearly 30 standardised testing procedures covering key components such as battery, propulsion and power, remote propulsion control, frequency conversion modules, power distribution, energy management and cooling systems. These capabilities allow manufacturers to simulate operating conditions, identify potential risks and verify system integration before installation on vessels.

The laboratory is also supported by a hydrodynamics laboratory, electrical simulation platform and the Songshan Lake Water Application Test Base. Together, these facilities create a full testing pathway from design and simulation through to onshore system integration and full-scale vessel trials.

Watch highlights from the launch event:
https://youtu.be/ebJsQHUDKzg

Supporting the development of the new energy marine sector

According to Danny Tao, co-founder and CEO of ePropulsion, the platform is designed to strengthen the industry's technical infrastructure while helping companies bring new technologies to market more quickly. "Companies in the Greater Bay Area can now conduct authoritative testing aligned with CCS standards locally, significantly shortening R&D cycles and reducing certification costs," he said. "By simulating real operating conditions, the platform also allows developers to evaluate different power architectures and identify potential risks before systems are deployed on vessels."

The laboratory will be open to the wider industry, providing services including testing, certification support, joint standards development and technical training. "The laboratory will be open to the entire industry," Tao added, "providing public services such as testing and certification, joint standards development and talent training, with plans to expand into strategic emerging fields such as intelligent robotics, high-end equipment and electric aviation."

Strengthening industry standards

Zhou Liwei, Deputy General Manager of the Guangzhou Branch of the China Classification Society, said the CCS approval reflects ePropulsion’s strong technical capabilities and management systems. “We hope the GIST Onshore Joint Debugging Laboratory will play a leading role as the first onshore joint debugging test institution in South China, providing more professional and efficient inspection and certification services for the development of the new energy vessel industry,” he said.

Professor Li Zexiang, founder of the Songshan Lake International Robotics Industry Base, added that the laboratory could become an important connector within the region’s innovation ecosystem. “By leveraging the Greater Bay Area’s strong industrial supply chain, the platform can help accelerate the transition from technology R&D to real-world industrial applications,” he said.

With the launch of the GIST Onshore Joint Debugging Laboratory, the partners aim to provide critical technical infrastructure for the next generation of electric and intelligent vessels, supporting the continued growth of the marine electrification industry in South China and beyond.

Step inside the Green and Intelligent Ships Testing GIST Laboratory: https://youtu.be/hQN6rbz34ZQ