BEIJING: China’s new-generation icebreaking research vessel, named Jidi, meaning polar region, was delivered in Guangzhou City of south China’s Guangdong Province on Monday.
According to a report from China Central Television (CCTV), the vessel, which has been domestically designed and built by Guangzhou Shipyard International Company under China State Shipbuilding Corporation, is anticipated to undertake scientific research missions in the latter half of 2024.
With a length of 89 metres, width of 17.8 metres, tonnage of 4,600 tonnes and navigational range of around 26,000 kilometres, the vessel is capable of navigating worldwide. One replenishment is enough to sustain a crew of 60 aboard for more than 80 days at sea.
“In winter, it can sail in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea to break ice and carry out activities like marine environment monitoring, seawater measurement and rescue operations in ice-covered areas. During summer, it can be utilised for exploration in deep-sea and polar regions,” explained Cai Ru
imou, deputy chief engineer of Guangzhou Shipyard International Company.
The vessel can carry advanced equipment like homegrown drones, unmanned ships and autonomous underwater robots. Relying on China’s independent satellite network system, the vessel can perform multiple tasks related to air, space, sea, ice, and underwater areas.
Source: Emirates News Agency