Zhuhaiyun (unmanned vessel)

2023: Commissioning of a reconnaissance vessel

In mid-January 2023, China commissioned the world's first fully automated research vessel.

The research vessel Zhuhaiyun can move autonomously through open water or be controlled by remote control, state the broadcaster said. CCTV Water transport can carry and simultaneously control dozens of unmanned air, surface and underwater vehicles (, UAV USV and UUV) to monitor the environment and create a data center in a specific area. "Zhuhaiyun" can be used for complex ocean exploration, oceanographic surveying, cartography, maritime patrols, and sampling tasks.

China puts unmanned reconnaissance vessel Zhuhaiyun into operation

The Southern Maritime Scientific and Technical Laboratory of the Chinese province of Guangdong, which owns and operates the vessel, conducted sea tests on January 12, 2023 and tested the vessel's autonomous navigation capabilities, including the release and restoration of drones. In 2023, "Zhuhaiyun" will be used for a number of geodetic activities, including marine mapping and surveillance, maritime patrolling and sampling.

The ship's developed artificial intelligence system can use information from sensors and satellites to help it navigate the water terrain. Operators can also remotely monitor its operation and, if necessary, take control in case of deviation from the specified goals.

We tested the vessel in unmanned mode for 12 hours in a row. It has been proven capable of avoiding obstacles and planning its own path, and it is fully aligned with our original design objectives. This is not only an unprecedented tool for overcoming the boundaries of marine science, but also an intelligent and effective tool for solving a large number of practical problems, "said Chen Dake, head of the laboratory and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

With a length of 88.5 m, a width of 14 m and a displacement of 2,100 tons, which allows the Zhuhaiyun, to transport a significant amount of equipment during long missions. Having a specially designed shape, the ship sails at an average speed of 13 knots, and if necessary can reach speeds of up to 18 knots. The vessel's energy system, propulsion system, artificial intelligence system and drone control system are made in China, CCTV reported, adding that this shows that the PRC has achieved complete self-sufficiency in key technologies.

The Zhuhaiyun is built at the Huangpu Wenchong shipyard owned by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation in Shanghai and launched in May 2022.^[1]

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