VESSEL REFIT | Xiangyanghong 05 – Cargo ship converted into offshore research vessel

The Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group, a division under the China Shipbuilding Group, has completed conversion work on a cargo vessel to enable it to take on the new role of scientific research.

Xiangyanghong 05 will be operated by the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) on marine research voyages primarily in the South China Sea. The vessel will be used mainly for ocean survey, geological exploration, and offshore marine environmental monitoring by the MNR, though it may also be available to support the State Oceanic Administration and other local agencies.

The rebuilt vessel has an LOA of 85.6 metres, a beam of 16.4 metres, a draught of five metres, a depth of eight metres, a displacement of 3,000 tonnes, and a cruising speed of 11 knots courtesy of podded thrusters driven by a 5,400kW electric propulsion system. The propulsion enables the vessel to sail up to 10,000 nautical miles, stay out at sea for a maximum of 60 days, and withstand Beaufort Force 12 winds, allowing operations under a broad range of weather conditions.

The conversion and modernisation work on Xiangyanghong 05 was done in compliance to China Classification Society requirements.

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