China’s first deep-ocean drilling vessel enters service [Video]

The Meng Xiang, China’s first domestically designed and built deep-ocean drilling vessel, has a maximum drilling depth of 11 kilometers and was officially commissioned in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou on November 17.

China’s largest scientific research vessel, the Meng Xiang measures 179.8 meters in length and 32.8 meters in width, with a displacement of 42,600 tonnes. It boasts a range of 15,000 nautical miles, self-sustainability for 120 days, and the capacity to accommodate 180 people.