China has taken a significant step in marine exploration by delivering its first self-developed comprehensive scientific research vessel, Tan Suo San Hao, or Exploration No. 3. This state-of-the-art ship is designed for deep-sea exploration around the globe, including the challenging polar regions, and boasts manned deep-diving capabilities.
The vessel, a 104-meter-long marvel of Chinese shipbuilding, was handed over by Guangzhou Shipyard International Co., Ltd. of China State Shipping Corporation on Thursday in Guangzhou City, the capital of Guangdong Province. With a displacement of approximately 10,000 tonnes, the ship offers an impressive endurance of 15,000 nautical miles and can accommodate a crew of 80. Its dual-direction ice-breaking capabilities at both the bow and stern enable it to navigate through icy waters with ease.
Tan Suo San Hao is set to elevate China's deep-sea archaeological operations by enabling manned deep-diving missions across the world's oceans. This advancement enhances China's ability to explore and study underwater environments, contributing to global scientific knowledge.
The project, which received approval in December 2022, was a collaborative effort funded by the Hainan provincial government, a company based in Sanya City, Hainan Province, and the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Over 100 institutions worked together to develop and construct the vessel, overcoming technological challenges in ice-zone ship design and intelligent ship control technology.
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China delivers self-developed deep-sea scientific research vessel
cgtn.com
