China's First Large Beacon Vessel with Icebreaking Capacity Rolls off Production Line

The Haixun 156, China's first large-scale beacon vessel equipped with icebreaking capacity, was launched on April 15.

With a length of 74.9 meters and a width of 14.3 meters, the vessel has a displacement of 2,400 tonnes.

Completely powered by electricity and equipped with a double rudder propeller system, it can break through ice as thick as 0.6 meters, which guarantees emergency responses in winter in North China's waters.

It currently has the highest level of informatization and intelligentization for vessels of its kind in China and can send early warnings before anything goes wrong with its equipment. It can also determine the most economical navigation route to reduce operation cost and lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Designed and built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited, the vessel is scheduled to start service this September at the Tianjin-based Northern Navigation Service Center of the Ministry of Transport for setting up, removing, swapping and maintaining navigation aid facilities at icy ports and on navigation routes in North China.

The Haixun 156 large-scale beacon vessel is launched on April 15. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)