Guangzhou, Guangdong Province on the Chinese mainland, marked a technological leap on Thursday with the delivery of Suhai-1, the world’s first self-propelled enclosed salmon aquaculture vessel. This floating farm and processing plant promises to redefine seafood production at sea.
Dubbed Suhai-1, the vessel integrates breeding, harvesting and on-board processing of high-value salmon in one mobile platform. With a displacement of 132,000 tonnes—comparable to two medium-sized aircraft carriers—it carries 15 aquaculture cabins holding 83,000 cubic meters of water (equivalent to 33 Olympic swimming pools).
Key innovations aboard Suhai-1:
- Centralized automated feeding: Manages feed storage, transport, hoisting, unpacking and distribution through real-time, intelligent decisions.
- Mobility up to 18 km/h: Unlike fixed net-cages, the vessel can relocate quickly to avoid storms, red tides and other hazards, boosting safety and stability.
- Cold-water cruising: Suhai-1 will follow sub-18°C water masses in the Yellow Sea, keeping salmon in their optimal 10–18°C growth range and returning with full holds of mature fish.
As global seafood demand climbs, innovations like Suhai-1 highlight how smart engineering and data-driven operations can drive sustainable aquaculture. By marrying mobility with automation, the vessel offers a glimpse into the future of marine food production.
Once in service, Suhai-1 will sail alongside its salmon stock—literally moving farms to the best waters—ensuring a steady supply of healthy, traceable seafood for markets around the world.
Reference(s):
China delivers world's first smart offshore aquaculture vessel
cgtn.com
