China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) subsidiary Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding has launched a new research vessel that will be fitted with an autonomous navigation system.
Classed by China Classification Society, Zhu Hai Yun will be operated by the Southern Ocean Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai). Once completed, it will have an LOA of 88 metres, a moulded beam of 14 metres, a design draught of 3.7 metres, and a design speed of 13 knots.
The vessel will be powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system consisting of two 1,710kW generators, one 1,140kW generator, two 1,950kW azimuth pod thrusters, and emergency use batteries with a total output of 600 kWh.
The vessel will be operated as a large mothership for unmanned research craft.
