China’s first intelligent ocean-class scientific research vessel, named Tongji, was officially delivered in Shanghai on Sunday, according to China Central Television and China Media Group reports. The new vessel is designed for both scientific research and offshore engineering support, and will be operated by Tongji University.
The vessel was built by CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company Limited, a part of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, and was designed and constructed entirely by Chinese engineers. The construction began in April 2024, and it successfully completed comprehensive sea trials in May.
Tongji is a new-generation, green, quiet, and intelligent comprehensive research vessel, developed for marine science research, teaching, and engineering support. It serves as a floating “offshore campus” for Tongji University, supporting academic research, marine engineering tasks, and student training.
According to Li Zhenghua, the chief technologist and chief designer of the vessel, Tongji is 82 meters long, 15 meters wide, and has a depth of 6.9 meters. It can accommodate up to 45 people, including 15 crew members and 30 researchers. The vessel has a maximum speed of 15 knots (over 27 kilometers per hour) and a range of 8,000 nautical miles. It can carry out independent operations for up to 35 days at sea.
The ship features an all-electric propulsion system developed in China and is capable of sailing in unlimited navigation zones, except ice-covered regions. It is also China’s first scientific research vessel to receive the i-ship (R1, No, E, I) intelligent ship classification from the China Classification Society, which includes features like autonomous navigation, shore-based remote control, smart energy management, and an intelligent integration platform.
Video Credits: CGTN/YouTube
In terms of onboard space, the vessel offers a 460-square-meter deck operation area, 320 square meters of laboratory space, and 10.2 square meters of living area per person. It also includes more than 100 square meters of functional rooms, such as conference rooms, lecture halls, leisure and fitness zones.
The Tongji ship is specially designed with modular laboratories, allowing different types of container labs to be loaded based on specific scientific goals. These labs support a wide range of studies, including marine geology, marine chemistry, marine biology, and atmospheric environment research.
Besides research, the vessel can also carry out marine engineering operations, such as laying and maintaining submarine cables. Its integrated communication system allows for smooth coordination between the ship and shore, as well as unmanned scientific research equipment across air, sea, and underwater fields.
Officials from Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Company said in a statement that Tongji is now the leading research platform in the East China Sea, offering a combination of scientific exploration, engineering operations, science education, and cultural heritage promotion. It will also be used for student internships, giving practical training to future marine science professionals.
The ship’s spatial design is optimised, enabling it to perform at the level of a 3,000-ton research vessel, even though it is built on a 2,000-ton platform. This efficiency makes it stand out among previous research ships.
According to the statement, multiple performance indicators show that Tongji has reached world-class standards in terms of research capability, smart operation, and environmental friendliness.
References: globaltimes, chinadaily