The deployment of Haixun 08, the largest and most advanced surveying ship in China’s maritime safety system, will extensively improve the country’s oceanographic research and its support capability for maritime industries, according to the ship’s chief designer.
Survey Mission
Ye Hao from the Marine Design and Research Institute of China in Shanghai, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp, said that Haixun 08 is mainly tasked with surveying underwater conditions and hydrological information along sea lanes.
“If we wish to guarantee the smooth and safe operation of ships, we’d better know clearly about the natural conditions of sea lanes such as the depth of water, the ocean currents and the geological structures of the seabed,” Ye said on the sidelines of the four-day China Marine Equipment Expo 2023, which concluded on Sunday.
Vessel Specifications
The expo showcased 715 participants with over 6,500 products. Haixun 08, designed for deep-sea surveys, boasts advanced equipment and onboard data processing for ocean-wide operations.
According to the Marine Design and Research Institute of China, the ship is 123.6 meters long, 21.2 meters wide and has a displacement of more than 8,200 metric tons. Its maximum speed is 16 knots (30 kilometers per hour).
It can operate in all oceans, except in the polar regions, and is capable of sailing more than 33,000 kilometers in a single voyage. Haixun 08 can accommodate up to 100 sailors and researchers and can independently work as long as 60 days, without needing to be refueled and resupplied.
Construction Timeline
Construction of the vessel started in December 2019 at Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai. The vessel’s main frame was completed in July 2022, and then it continued to be mounted with equipment and carried out several trial operations.
The ship was formally commissioned to the Shanghai-based Eastern Navigation Service Center of the Maritime Safety Administration on Sept 21.
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Source: ChinaDaily
