Aurora Sets Sail: AzimuthThruster 450 kW Contra-Rotating Tunnel Thrusters on the Maiden Voyage of “Changjiang Xing · Aurora”

On 5 August, the new flagship cruise ship “Changjiang Xing · Aurora” built for Hubei Three Gorges Tourism Group completed its maiden voyage in Yichang, Hubei. A sister ship to the highly popular “Changjiang Xing · Lanyue”, its entry into service marks a new “twin-flagship” phase for the group's premium inter-provincial cruises,

broadening the product line on the Three Gorges golden waterway and accelerating Yichang's shift from traditional sightseeing cruises to immersive experience cruises.

The vessel features the Huawei HarmonyOS smart-home system and a range-extended hybrid power system, redefining Yangtze cruising around the idea that the ship itself is the destination. As core supplier for the series, AzimuthThruster / AzimuthThruster Europe custom-built 450 kW contra-rotating tunnel thrusters with an integrated vibration-damping solution for both “Lanyue” and “Aurora”, providing quiet, proven power for safe and smooth sailing.

(Photo: Fu Beibei)

Proven in service, building on reputation

Since entering service in April, “Changjiang Xing · Lanyue” has completed 32 stable voyages, carried more than 16,000 passengers and averaged 95% berth occupancy, ranking among the top premium river cruises in the Three Gorges. Repeat orders for the same series confirm the owner's and the market's confidence in the performance, quality and support of AzimuthThruster thrusters.

Iterating the core technology for a quieter voyage

Using operating data and validation from “Lanyue”, AzimuthThruster refined the 450 kW contra-rotating thruster system to suit “Aurora”, improving handling, quietness and fit:

• More precise thrust output
• Finer vibration and noise control
• Steadier handling in critical passages

(AzimuthThruster tunnel thruster)

With the optimised system, “Aurora” glides smoothly past the Gezhouba Dam and through the Xiling Gorge, giving passengers a calm, restorative journey on the river.

Deepening core R&D to power industry upgrades

AzimuthThruster will keep developing tunnel thrusters, azimuth thrusters and other core propulsion equipment, focusing on vibration and noise reduction, energy efficiency and green, intelligent technology, and continuing to refine its propulsion solutions for high-quality growth of China's shipbuilding industry and the green, smart transition of global shipping.

Aurora has arrived; Lanyue sails alongside.

Quiet passage, steady progress.

(Image source: Three Gorges Tourism Group)