Chinese Fishermen Raise $18M To Fund Research Vessel For Global Expeditions
Image Credits: Tenglong Shipbuilding
The construction of China’s first privately funded oceangoing research vessel has officially begun in Wenling, Zhejiang.
Fishermen from various towns in the region raised around 130 million yuan ($18 million) to finance the 3,500-ton vessel, which will be used for deep-sea scientific research, offshore energy operations, and seabed exploration.
This vessel, designed for global unlimited navigation, is the first privately owned ocean research ship in China. It is being built by Zhejiang Tenglong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., which specialises in bulk carriers, dredgers, and distant-water fishing vessels.
Once completed, it will be operated by Quanzhou-based Fujian Baozhou Shipping Co., Ltd.
The ship, designed by Fujian Fuchuan Marine Engineering Technology Research Institute, measures 82 meters in length, 15.2 meters in width, and 6.8 meters in depth, with a designed draft of 4.0 meters.
It has a full load displacement of 3,500 tons and can operate for 60 days at sea with a cruising range of over 5,000 nautical miles. It features a long forecastle, reverse wave-piercing bow and a square stern for improved stability.
The vessel includes an open operation deck at the stern and a concealed working area in the middle, designed to accommodate multidisciplinary scientific equipment for research in marine resources, seabed mapping, geophysical and chemical studies, and marine biology.
The ship’s DP2 diesel-electric propulsion system enables it to maintain position with an accuracy of one meter, making it suitable for remote-operated vehicle (ROV) deployment, seabed surveys, and offshore infrastructure work. It will also support offshore wind farms, oil field operations, and seabed engineering projects.
A senior designer from Fujian Fuchuan Marine Engineering Technology Research Institute explained that the ship’s deep-water equipment, power system, and dynamic positioning (DP) technology are all at internationally advanced levels.
Local fishermen, who funded the project, view the vessel as an opportunity
