China's bid to maintain its position as a leader in the global deep-sea submersible industry took another step forward yesterday as construction of a "mother ship" got under way in Zhejiang Province.
The primary role of the 4,800-ton "Zhang Jian" — named after an entrepreneur and educationist in modern China — will be to carry "Rainbow Fish," a manned submersible currently under development that is designed to be able to dive to depths of 11,000 meters.
China's first deep-sea submersible "Jiaolong" can dive to just over 7,000 meters.
As well as being a transport vessel, "Zhang Jian," which is being built at a shipyard in Wenling, will conduct scientific research and provide engineering support.
The entire deep-sea project is being led by Shanghai Ocean University.
Cui Weicheng, a professor at the university who also served as deputy chief designer on the "Jiaolong" project, said both "Zhang Jian" and "Rainbow Fish" should be ready to go into operation in 2018.
"The deep-sea project is a key part of China's research into the ocean environment, as well as issues such as climate change and predicting earthquakes," he said.
The total cost of the project, which will also include three seabed landers, will be about 500 million yuan ($80.7 million), Cui said.