The scientific expedition vessel “Xiangyanghong 03” was launched on Saturday and joined China’s oceanic research team in Xiamen, Fujian Province.
At a cost of 580 million yuan (89 million U. S. dollars), the research ship was built by China’s State Oceanic Administration (SOA) and Wuchang shipbuilding industry group.
Xiangyanghong 03 is able to work in any navigable area, including the polar regions.
“The vessel will carry out deep sea observation, exploration, sampling and analysis, and will be a mobile lab and experimentation platform for scientific research and technology development in deep sea and oceanic area” said Yu Xingguang, director of the Third Institute of Oceanography (TIO). “This ship will be China’s new flagship research vessel and will take part in major international research programs to enhance our knowledge of the ocean.”
The vessel is expected to depart on its maiden voyage in May.
