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China Launches First Multi-Purpose Icebreaker for Deep-Sea Scientific Research

China announced on Friday the launch of its first multi-purpose icebreaker designed for deep-sea scientific research, including summer operations in polar regions. This icebreaker is equipped with the capability for manned deep diving in icy areas.

The locally built icebreaker is named “Tan Su San Hao,” and it measures 104 meters in length and has a displacement of 10,000 tons. It has a speed of 16 knots and an operational range of up to 15,000 nautical miles. Additionally, it is equipped with two-way ice-breaking technology at both the bow and stern.

The icebreaker has a crew of 80, along with an unmanned small submarine capable of operating in the depths of the Arctic Ocean.

The research conducted by the icebreaker will not be limited to the Arctic region; it will also carry out archaeological exploration in the seabed across various global regions.

The cost of constructing the icebreaker is estimated at 800 million Chinese yuan (approximately 112.68 million USD), with the project being jointly funded by the Hainan Provincial Government, a company in Sanya City, and the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

After the project’s approval in December 2022, more than 100 institutions collaborated to develop the vessel, overcoming technological challenges in critical areas such as ice-capable ship design and intelligent ship control technology.

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