China's first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-diesel hybrid river vessel has started its 45-day trial voyage in this shipping center of central China in an effort to reduce exhaust pollution on river waterways.

Run by the Hubei Subsidiary of Xi'an Xi Lan Natural Gas Co, LTD., the boat uses a fuel mix of 70 percent LNG and 30 percent diesel, rather than pure diesel -- the traditional fuel.

This innovative product can cut fuel costs by nearly 25 percent and drastically reduce the discharge of carbon dioxide, according the company.

After the trial voyage ends Sept. 16, and all going well, the Wuhan city authority will move to upgrade the engines of local vessels for inland water navigation. By the end of this year, six LNG filling stations will be set up along local river waterways.

Opened as a commercial port in 1861, Wuhan boasts 22 ports with 17 on the Yangtze River and five on the Hanjiang River.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2010)