China has launched its first scientific research vessel designed for global deep-sea exploration, marking a significant step forward in the country’s capabilities in polar and deep-sea research.

The vessel, named Tan Suo San Hao (Exploration No. 3), was constructed by Guangzhou Shipyard International Co., Ltd. and represents a key achievement in China’s maritime goals. This 104-meter-long ship features impressive specifications, including a displacement of 10 000 tonnes, an endurance of 15 000 nautical miles, and advanced two-direction ice-breaking capabilities.

According to official statements, “The vessel will enable China’s manned deep-diving capability to reach the full ocean area around the globe.”

The Tan Suo San Hao project was jointly funded by the Hainan provincial government and various scientific institutions, highlighting China’s increasing technological strength in maritime exploration. This development coincides with China’s plans for a manned expedition to the Arctic Ocean floor, which could make it the second country, after Russia, to achieve this milestone.

The vessel’s rapid construction, completed in under 10 months from the initial steel-cutting to its launch, demonstrates China’s advancing shipbuilding capabilities.

The delivery of the Tan Suo San Hao follows a busy year for China in Arctic operations, during which it sent three icebreakers to the region and conducted its first joint Arctic patrol with Russia.

Although geographically distant from the Arctic, China has increased its presence in the north, identifying itself as a “near-Arctic state,” a designation that is disputed by Western Arctic nations. Additionally, China’s commercial interests in the region have grown, with record levels of crude oil deliveries and container shipping reported this year.