South China's first onshore joint debugging test platform for green and intelligent vessels, recognised by the China Classification Society (CCS), has opened in Songshan Lake, Dongguan.
The Green and Intelligent Ships Testing (GIST) Onshore Joint Debugging Laboratory was jointly established by ePropulsion Technology, Songshan Lake Science City Group, and the Songshan Lake International Robotics Research Institute. The opening was attended by representatives from maritime authorities, CCS, industry partners, and research institutions.
The approximately 1,000 m² facility enables simulation and verification of multiple marine power system configurations, including fully electric and hybrid propulsion systems. It 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.
The laboratory is supported by a hydrodynamics laboratory, an electrical simulation platform, and the Songshan Lake Water Application Test Base. Together, these create a full testing pathway from design and simulation through to onshore system integration and full-scale vessel trials.
Danny Tao, co-founder and CEO of ePropulsion, described the platform as a way 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."
Tao also outlined broader ambitions for the facility. "The laboratory will be open to the entire industry," he 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."
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, sees the laboratory as a potential 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.
