With new icebreaking research vessel, Beijing sets eye on Russia’s Arctic seabed
China’s first multi-functional icebreaker for deep-sea research is on its way to the Russian Arctic.
It is the first Arctic voyage of the Tan Sun San Hao. The 104 metre long ship was rolled out from the Guangzhou Shipyard International in December 2024. Half a year later, it set out from the port of Nansha with a course for the Arctic.
The Tan Sun San Hao is an icebreaker with Polar Class 4. It can sail in sea-ice up to a metre thick. It will be operated by the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering.
Judging from the ship tracking service MarineTraffic, in early August the vessel sailed past Kamchatka towards the Bering Strait.
The Tan Sun San Hao is designed to break ice while moving ahead, as well as astern. It has a crew of 32 and can take up 48 researchers. It has a gross dead-weight of 8,892 tons and a self-endurance of up to 78 days.
The ship is expected to sail into Russian Arctic waters. A document from the Russian Northern Sea Route Administration shows that it has permission to sail along the Arctic coast in the period between August 3 and September 30.
Judging from information from the Administration, the Tan Sun San Hao is the only Chinese icebreaker that will sail in the area this year. In previous years, both the Xuelong and Xuelong-2 have paid visits to Russian Arctic waters.
According to retired Indian Rear Admiral Monty Khanna, China is today the country with the by far largest investments in deep-sea research. Over the past years, significant attention has been devoted to the field, he explains in an article.
In 2016, China established the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE). The institution functions directly under the Chinese Academy of Science. As previously, China has the National Deep Sea Center (NDSC), which operates under the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The Arctic is one of the priority areas for the deep-sea research activities.
Several new vessels have been built. In 2024, the Ministry of Natural Resources officially commissioned its new polar research vessel, the Jidi (“Polar”).
The Tan Sun San Hao was built in record time. Steel cutting reportedly commenced on 25 June 2023. She was subsequently launched in April 2024 in a record time of ten months. She underwent sea trials in October 2024 and was delivered to the IDSSE on 29 Dec 2024.
The ship is built with a powerful crane. It is likely to have onboard a submersible, as well as unmanned underwater vehicles.
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