Chinese yard delivers new large research vessel

China's Guangzhou Shipyard International has handed over a new large icebreaking research vessel. Named Jidi ("Polar"), the vessel has an LOA of 89.95 metres, a beam of 17.8 metres, a depth of 8.2 metres, a design speed of 15 knots, a range of 14,000 nautical miles, and accommodations for 60 crewmembers and scientific personnel.

The vessel was designed by the China Shipbuilding Group's 708 Research Institute in compliance with China Classification Society's (CCS) unlimited navigation area requirements. This helps ensure that the vessel can stay out at sea for a maximum of 80 days.

The electric propulsion system includes azimuthing thrusters and side thrusters, which are used in conjunction with a dynamic positioning system for improved station keeping. The electric propulsion also satisfies CCS' Underwater Noise 2 requirements, ensuring minimal impact of operations on the surrounding marine environment.

The vessel's bow can break ice up to one metre thick while the design is optimised for temperatures as low as –30 degrees Celsius. The survey equipment meanwhile also includes sensors for measuring atmospheric and geophysical conditions.