China's Jiangxi Jiangxin Shipbuilding has delivered a new research vessel to the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai) (SML Zhuhai).
Xiangzhou Yun ("Xiangzhou Cloud") features an array of systems for intelligent navigation, remote control, intelligent integration and intelligent energy efficiency, as well as all-weather capability.
The newbuild has an LOA of 56.9 metres, a beam of 9.8 metres, a depth of 4.5 metres, and two main engines that drive controllable-pitch propellers to deliver a maximum speed of 15 knots and a range of 1,200 nautical miles. The vessel can also stay out at sea for up to 22 days.
Xiangzhou Yun will be used primarily for testing and evaluation duties in support of the development of unmanned vehicles and other marine intelligent systems by SML Zhuhai.
The vessel also features a collision avoidance system and a deck crane.