This picture shows China’s first 50,000-ton military-civilian dual-use semi-submersible vessel named “Zhenhua 33” prepares to berth at a port in Qidong City , China’s Jiangsu Province on March 14, 2017.
QIDONG, JIANGSU, Mar. 15 (ChinaMil) — China’s first 50,000-ton military-civilian dual-use semi-submersible vessel was brought into service in Qidong City, China’s Jiangsu Province, on March 14, local time.
The 50,000-ton ship has a total length of 227 meters, with a main deck area of 7,700 square meters. Its Semi-submersible draught is 27 meters. It has an average speed of 14 knots and a maximum cruise range of 18,000 nautical miles, and is perfect for navigation and operations in the open sea.
The semi-submersible vessel also has a large cargo platform area, equivalent to two standard football fields. In addition to its large steel structure and offshore drilling platform, the semi-submersible vessel also has other military functions, including carrying helicopters and fixing damaged war ships.
It is reported that the semi-submersible vessel can be used for berthing transition of a big ship over 10,000 tons, maritime military relay support for ship-borne helicopters, rush-repair and evacuation of damaged warships and so on.
Huang Hao, a deputy director of the PLA Wuxi Joint Logistic Support Center, said that the design and manufacture of this semi-submersible vessel took two years and three months.
It is the largest civilian ship that meets defense requirements. This multi-functional semi-submersible vessel is almost the same size as an aircraft carrier, Huang added.
Military representatives from the PLA Wuxi Joint Logistic Support Center inspect the 50,000-ton military-civilian dual-use semi-submersible vessel on March 14, 2017.