China’s new generation icebreaking research vessel “Jidi” was officially named and delivered in Nansha, Guangzhou, on June 24, and will begin to undertake research missions in the second half of 2024, according to CCTV News, China’s official media.
The icebreaking research vessel “Jidi” belongs to the North Sea Bureau of China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, and is a new generation of icebreaking research vessel independently designed and constructed by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Guangzhou Shipbuilding International (GSI).
With a length of 89.95 meters, a beam of 17.8 meters and a design speed of 15 nautical miles per hour, “Jidi” can meet the needs of unlimited navigation, with a gross tonnage of 4,600 tons, a range of 14,000 nautical miles. A single replenishment can provide for the whole crew of 60 people to live at sea for 80 days.
It is understood that after delivery, the vessel will mainly serve the environment integrated survey and observation and research tasks in the polar oceans, sea ice, the atmosphere etc. It boasts a comprehensive observation and sampling capability of the marine environment, which helps to improve China’s marine disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities.