Tong Ji ship completes 8-day trial voyage, tests

China's first intelligent marine research vessel, the Tong Ji, has successfully completed an eight-day trial voyage, Shanghai-based Tongji University said on Thursday.

During the trial, the ship underwent more than 100 tests, including its overall performance, underwater radiation and noise levels, intelligent navigation and remote-control systems. All results met required standards, and the ship's handling, top speed and onboard living conditions exceeded expectations, the university said.

Measuring 82 meters in length and 15 meters in width, the Tong Ji has a displacement of about 2,800 metric tons, a top speed of 16 knots and a cruising range of up to 8,000 nautical miles. It is capable of navigating all regions except ice-covered areas, and can operate in any weather conditions, day or night.

Equipped with cutting-edge smart systems, the vessel features shore-based remote control, autonomous navigation in open waters and intelligent energy efficiency management — all integrated into a single platform.

It is also designed to carry remotely operated underwater vehicles and multiple container laboratories, enabling a wide range of scientific research and cross-disciplinary operations.

"The ship enables comprehensive research and surveys in marine geology, marine chemistry, marine biology, physical oceanography and marine engineering geology," said Shi Zhenming, vice-president of Tongji University, as quoted by Shanghai Observer.

The vessel's hybrid power system reduces energy consumption by about 8 percent compared to similar ships. Its intelligent energy management and smart route planning also help cut operational costs by roughly 3 to 5 percent.

Optimized for onboard efficiency, the Tong Ji offers a 460-square-meter deck operation area, 320 square meters of laboratory space, an average of 10.2 square meters of living space per crew member, and more than 100 square meters dedicated to meetings, leisure and fitness. These specifications match the operational capacity of a 3,000-ton research vessel, according to Tuo Shouting, vice-dean of the School of Ocean and Earth Science at Tongji University.

The Tong Ji highlights China's progress in developing modern research and training vessels. From 2010 to last year, China built more than 30 oceanographic research ships, including the Xuelong 2, the world's first polar research icebreaker with bidirectional icebreaking capabilities, and the Sun Yat-sen University vessel, the country's largest oceanographic research and training ship, according to China Central Television.