VESSEL REVIEW | Zhongshan Daxue – Large oceanographic research ship for China’s Sun Yat-Sen University

A new maritime research vessel has been delivered to Sun Yat-Sen University (SYSU) in China’s Guangdong province for operations in offshore waters, particularly those of the South China Sea.

Zhongshan Daxue (“Sun Yat-Sen University”) was designed and built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) through its subsidiaries 708 Research Institute and the Jiangnan Shipyard Group. The newbuild has a displacement of approximately 6,880 tonnes, a length of 114.3 metres, a beam of 19.4 metres, and accommodations for 26 crewmembers and 74 scientists and other personnel, making it one of the largest oceanographic research vessels ever built and operated in China.

Classed by China Classification Society (CCS), the SYSU research vessel boasts an ice class B3 hull, polar navigation capability, and a dynamic positioning system. The onboard laboratories have a combined area of around 760 square metres and contain advanced equipment for testing and analysing samples and data related to a broad range of fields including but not limited to biology, oceanography, geology, and meteorology.

An advanced weather radar is slated for installation before the end of this year. This will enable the vessel’s embarked scientific staff to study rainfall over the ocean as part of a broader initiative to more accurately predict weather disturbances on land.

Additional space for research and experimentation can be incorporated through the placement of up to ten standard cargo containers that have been modified to function as mobile laboratories on the quarterdeck. A large flight deck forward of the bridge can accommodate helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles for transport and resupply duties as well as to augment the coverage of the vessel’s many sensors during research expeditions at sea. The total working deck area on the vessel is estimated at 610 square metres.

Other vehicles that can be carried onboard are remotely operated vehicles and unmanned surface vehicles. These smaller craft can be fitted with specialised sensors to further expand the coverage of the larger vessel’s data-gathering capability.

Trials showed that the vessel can reach speeds of up to 16 knots while more economical cruising will enable it to cover 15,000 nautical miles. This long endurance makes the vessel suitable for expeditions lasting 60 days. The azimuth pod thrusters also do not generate as much noise and vibration as the propulsion units of conventional vessels, thus ensuring more comfortable working and living conditions for the embarked personnel. The reductions in noise and vibration will also mean fewer impediments whenever the onboard scientific staff are conducting measurements and other research activities underwater.

In addition to operating as a research vessel, Zhongshan Daxue will also serve as a scientific training platform for SYSU students.