CSSC Embarks on Construction of World's First Smart Unmanned Mother Ship

Two subsidiaries of China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC) set out to build the world's first smart unmanned mother ship on July 20.

The 88.5-meter long, 14-meter wide and 6.1-meter high ship has a designed draft of 3.7 meters, displacement of 2,100 metric tons and a highest speed of 18 knots (33,336 meters per hour).

It will be equipped with China-made smart systems for power, propulsion, investigation and operations and is expected to have outstanding maneuverability and flexibility.

The ship will be able to automatically navigate and berth, and conduct remote monitoring and control and equipment supervision while it is in open water by using sensors, satellite communication systems and internet devices; its operations will be safe, environmentally-friendly, economical and highly-efficient.

Expected to be the world's first scientific research ship equipped with functions of remote control and automatic propulsion, the ship will play a key role in marine disaster prevention and reduction, fine subsea mapping, marine environmental monitoring and maintenance of offshore wind farms, and will contribute to China's maritime scientific research and economic and social development.

(Executive editor: Niu Yilin)