China's first ultra deep-water research drilling vessel started its trial voyage at the Nansha Port in Guangzhou on December 18，marking a crucial step in the nation's construction of deep-sea exploration capabilities and the research and development of marine technology.
Named "Mengxiang" (or "Dream"), the vessel measures 179.8 meters in length and 32.8 meters in width. It weighs approximately 33,000 metric tons and has an endurance of 15,000 nautical miles. The vessel can withstand sea conditions of category 16 typhoons and has the ability to drill as deep as 11,000 meters below sea level.
The vessel is equipped with the world's largest shipborne laboratory, with a floor space of over 3,000 square meters.
Zhou Yang, head of the "Dream" supervision team of Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey (GMGS) of China Geological Survey, introduced that the shipborne laboratory is equipped for research in the fields of basic geology, paleomagnetism, inorganic geochemistry, organic geochemistry, microbiology, marine science, natural gas hydrate, geophysics, and drilling technology.
Author丨Nina
Editor丨Steven, Monica, James
