The delivery ceremony for the 3,000-ton buoy operation vessel Xiangyanghong 17 was held on May 7.
A view of the 3,000-ton buoy operation vessel Xiangyanghong 17 [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Designed and built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC) for the North China Sea Bureau of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Xiangyanghong 17 will undertake a variety of major ocean observation missions. The vessel is expected to significantly enhance China’s buoy support capabilities and provide support for marine environmental monitoring, buoy maintenance, and emergency response.
The Xiangyanghong 17 is a steel-hulled marine engineering vessel that integrates scientific research with buoy operations. As a new-generation ocean-going buoy operation ship, it boasts comprehensive survey capabilities. The vessel measures 89.3 meters in length, 18 meters in beam, and 7.2 meters in depth, with a designed displacement of 3,950 tons. It is powered by two full-rotation electric propulsion systems and features a B2-class ice-strengthened hull structure, a bow thruster, stepless speed control, and DP2 dynamic positioning capability.
Designed for specialized tasks, the vessel is primarily used for regular inspection and maintenance of surface and subsurface buoys, scheduled deployment and recovery, as well as emergency operations.
Since signing the contract in August 2022, the CSSC collaborated with the North China Sea Bureau to customize the design of Xiangyanghong 17 for local waters and buoy operations. Breakthroughs were made in areas such as buoy operation workflows, aft deck layout design, acoustic equipment installation, and control of vibration and noise, making it another high-quality marine engineering achievement.
During construction, the CSSC team upheld rigorous standards for building research vessels, managing the project meticulously. Several coordination meetings were held with the shipowner to ensure timely equipment delivery. The team also adjusted the assembly sequence to solve equipment installation issues and improved efficiency through lean management and close teamwork, completing all major tasks on schedule.
The delivery of Xiangyanghong 17 not only enriches CSSC’s product line of scientific research vessels but also solidifies the company’s market position in this field.
(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)
