The Chinese-built new-generation icebreaking research vessel Jidi has commenced its inaugural sea ice research mission in the Liaodong Bay sea area, located in the Bohai Sea off the northern coast of China. The mission aims to study sea ice development, enhance marine weather forecasting, and conduct a series of scientific explorations across various fields.
Launched in 2024, Jidi—which translates to 'Polar Region'—is approximately 90 meters in length and 17.8 meters in width, with a displacement tonnage of 4,600 tonnes and a navigation capability of 14,000 nautical miles.
This mission marks the first comprehensive winter marine scientific research endeavor in the Bohai Sea, involving multiple research institutes and universities across China. The project encompasses multi-element centralized observation, timed navigation observation, and various professional research orientations, including sea ice observation and remote sensing technology research.
\"The research team consists of 20 members from 12 academic institutions in China, and our survey focuses include hydrology, meteorology, biology, chemistry, ice surface spectroscopy, atmospheric chemistry, and other factors such as the spotted seal,\" said Li Ke, director of the Sea Ice and Climate Forecast Division at the Ministry of Natural Resources' North Sea Forecast and Disaster Relief Center, who is also part of the research team.
The comprehensive research in Liaodong Bay spans a wide range of fields from aerospace to seabed studies. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights for ice-season navigation, offshore oil and gas platform operations against extreme weather, ecological research, and other applications.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
