China's Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) handed over a new research ship to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on Thursday, December 26.
Tansuo San ("Exploration No 3") was built by GSI to be China's first comprehensive scientific research vessel with global deep-sea exploration and ice manned deep-diving support capabilities even in polar areas during the summer. The vessel will be operated by the CAS' Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering.
The vessel has a length of 104 metres, a displacement of approximately 10,000 tonnes, and a crew of 80. The electric propulsion system, which also includes two ABB azimuthing podded thrusters, delivers a maximum speed of 16 knots and a range of 15,000 nautical miles. To permit navigation in ice areas, the bow and the stern are reinforced for two-way icebreaking at two knots.
Tansuo San completed undergoing sea trials in October. The trials included 30 categories of tests of the vessel's speed, manoeuvrability, and underwater radiated noise. The test results all met or exceeded the original design parameters.