China has officially commissioned its latest deep-sea research vessel, Tansuo-3, in Sanya City, Hainan Province. This state-of-the-art ship marks a significant milestone in China's manned submersible capabilities, setting the stage for groundbreaking scientific missions slated for 2025.
Standing at 104 meters and displacing around 10,000 tonnes, Tansuo-3 is equipped to explore every sea region, including polar areas. With a maximum speed of 16 knots and a range of 15,000 nautical miles, the vessel is built for extensive voyages and can support up to 80 crew members. Its robust design allows it to navigate icy waters, making it ideal for deep-sea and polar expeditions.
A key feature of Tansuo-3 is its 6 by 4.8-meter moon pool, enabling seamless scientific operations even in challenging maritime conditions. The vessel will house the Shenhai Yongshi (Deep Sea Warrior), a full-ocean-depth Human Occupied Vehicle (HOV), which will facilitate regular research, equipment trials, and deep-sea archaeology in the South China Sea during the first half of 2025. By the latter half of the year, Tansuo-3 will embark on manned deep-sea submersible missions in abyssal oceans.
The commissioning of Tansuo-3 underscores China's commitment to advancing its autonomous development of core technologies. The vessel features fully domestically developed equipment and control systems, highlighting China's growing prowess in scientific and technological innovation.
As China expands its presence in global deep-sea exploration, Tansuo-3 is set to become a pivotal asset in uncovering the mysteries of the ocean depths, contributing to our understanding of marine science, archaeology, and environmental sustainability.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
