China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University has awarded a contract to China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding for the construction of a self-propelled, semi-submersible marine research platform.
The platform construction work was awarded through an open tender in September with a value of CNY2.76 billion (US$410 million).
Construction of the vessel is scheduled to begin in 2028. Completion and delivery are scheduled for June 2030.
Designated a national major scientific infrastructure facility, the project is known in Chinese as the "offshore floating island".
The university will operate the platform, which is intended to combine extended residence at sea with the ability to relocate under its own power.
The twin-hull platform will have a length of 138 metres, a beam of 85 metres, a main deck height of 45 metres, and a maximum displacement of approximately 74,000 tonnes. The design speed will be 11 knots.
The platform will be designed to conduct work in Sea State seven and to survive a Beaufort Force 17 typhoon. Accommodation will be provided for 238 crewmembers and researchers.
Onboard facilities will include six laboratories and an offshore operations support centre, supporting research on technology for marine heavy equipment and systems, observations of marine disaster meteorology and long-term monitoring of marine ecosystems.
Shore bases at Changxing in Shanghai and Sanya in Hainan will provide maintenance, operational support, and land-based command and control.
Project chief scientist Zhou Meng said in May that conventional research voyages will follow an expedition-style pattern of departure, arrival, intensive sampling and return.
"No matter how large the ship or how advanced the equipment, once strong winds and high waves are encountered, operations are often forced to stop and the ship returns," he said.
The university cited the shipyard's experience with deepwater semi-submersibles, including the delivery of the drilling platform Haiyang Shiyou 981, designed for 3,000-metre water depths.