China Launches World's First 2000t-Class Unmanned Ship

South Korea's Southern Ocean Research Institute, "Will Change the Paradigm of Ocean Observation"
Unmanned Vessel Developed for Marine Research to Begin Operation by Year-End After Test Run

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] China has developed a 2000-ton class unmanned vessel and held a launching ceremony.

Photo by China Ocean Network capture

On the 19th, according to the Southern Daily and others, the 'Zhuhaiyun' vessel, affiliated with the Southern Marine Science and Technology Guangdong Research Institute, was launched in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province.

The Southern Daily added that the vessel equipped with an intelligent unmanned system, Zhuhaiyun, is the world's first.

The vessel is 88.5 meters long, 14.0 meters wide, with a designed displacement of 2000 tons, and a maximum speed of 18 knots, the Southern Daily reported.

The vessel was developed for marine research and is designed to carry 12 types of marine observation equipment on its deck.

The Southern Daily evaluated that the vessel's power system, marine surveying system, and intelligent (unmanned) navigation system are all independently developed by China, and it will greatly improve China's marine science and technology in the future.

The Southern Marine Research Institute emphasized that Zhuhaiyun will change the paradigm of marine observation by collecting real-time 3D marine observation data, among other capabilities.

Chinese media reported that after undergoing sea trials and other processes, Zhuhaiyun will begin unmanned marine observation from the end of this year. The vessel is expected to be deployed in the South China Sea, a region with territorial disputes.