A 3,500-ton comprehensive ocean research vessel, fully funded, built and operated by private investors, is successfully launched in Wenling, East China's Zhejiang Province on May 5, 2026. Photo: Courtesy of China News Service

A 3,500-ton comprehensive ocean research vessel, fully funded, built and operated by private investors, was successfully launched on Tuesday in Wenling, East China's Zhejiang Province, according to China News Service. 

With a total investment of 150 million yuan (about $20 million), the vessel represents a significant breakthrough in private capital's entry into the deep-sea scientific research sector in China.

Construction on the vessel began in March 2025. It was built to international first-class research ship standards, measuring 82 meters long and 18 meters wide, with a full-load displacement of 3,500 tons. The ship can maintain positioning accuracy within one meter under sea state level 6 conditions.

At 10 am on Tuesday, as the launch command was issued, the vessel slowly slid into the water amid cheers and drumbeats. Sirens sounded and applause erupted as members of the design and construction teams, along with representatives of local fisherman-investors, gathered to witness the milestone moment.

"The vessel has been under construction for more than a year, and it's finally in the water. We are extremely excited, as this brings us closer to our dream of ocean research," said Jiang Yubo, a fisherman-investor involved in the project, per China News Service. "In the past, fishermen made a living from the sea. Now we want to actively explore and protect it."

The project traces its origins to the maritime ambitions of local fishermen. In 2024, Cai Yunjie, a fisherman from Shitang town in Wenling and head of a local shipping company, became aware of the shortage of deep-sea research vessels in China and the constraints this placed on scientific development. He traveled across several provinces to connect with universities and research institutes, and took the lead in launching the shipbuilding project. More than 30 experienced captains and maritime professionals later joined through crowdfunding.

The vessel's design incorporates practical seafaring experience from veteran fishermen. It features optimized anti-roll water tanks and more than 20 ballast tanks, which significantly enhance stability. The vessel is capable of conducting continuous research operations for up to 72 hours in the outer bands of typhoons.

According to the plan, the vessel will remain docked after launch for two months of outfitting and equipment testing. Once operational, it will adopt a leasing model, undertaking tasks such as marine resource exploration, seabed mapping and marine biological sampling for universities and research institutes. It is also expected to expand into commercial services, including offshore wind power maintenance and subsea engineering support.

Global Times