China marked a milestone in marine research capabilities with Sunday's unveiling of the 'Tongji,' its first domestically developed intelligent ocean-class scientific research vessel. Delivered in Shanghai, the 82-meter ship represents a leap forward in sustainable marine exploration technology.
Designed for multipurpose scientific missions, the Tongji integrates green energy systems and AI-powered navigation that optimizes routes for fuel efficiency in open waters. Its modular laboratory design – described by chief engineer Li Zhenghua as 'transformative' – allows researchers to customize container labs for geology, chemistry, biology, and atmospheric studies during expeditions.
With an 8,000-nautical-mile range and capacity for 45 crew and scientists, the vessel will serve as Tongji University's 'floating campus,' bridging academic research with practical engineering training. Advanced features include low-noise operation for sensitive ecological studies and infrastructure support for undersea cable operations.
The launch strengthens China's capacity to address global oceanographic challenges while fostering international scientific collaboration. Analysts note the project highlights growing technological self-reliance in specialized marine equipment development.
