The Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shiyan 6 (Experiment 6) is set to head for an expeditionary voyage in the eastern area of the Indian Ocean, departing from Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on Sunday.

Organized by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology (SCSIO) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the vessel is scheduled to operate at sea for 80 days with 28 scientific research projects from 13 research teams onboard, covering a range of more than 12,000 nautical miles (roughly 22,200 kilometers).

The voyage, based on multidisciplinary observations, aims to obtain a large amount of basic data for revealing the mechanisms by which dynamic processes affect biogeochemical cycles, ecosystems and sedimentary processes in that region, clarifying the geographical pattern of biodiversity in the study area, uncovering the response and indicative role of biological communities to physical processes, as well as understanding paleoclimate changes, Wang Weiqing, chief scientist of the expedition, told China Media Group.

An observation system will be deployed in the key observation area to study the current system in the local topographic evolution and its relationship with seabed sediments and geology, said Wang.

The voyage is also expected to strengthen scientific research cooperation and exchanges with countries along the Maritime Silk Road and further realize the integration of science and education to serve the Belt and Road Initiative, said Lin Qiang, project leader and deputy director of SCSIO.

With a total investment of over 500 million yuan (about $77 million), Shiyan 6 is hailed as one of the main forces of China's 3,000-tonne vessels for deep-ocean scientific research.

The ship, measuring at 90.6 meters long and 17 meters wide, harbors an open operation deck area of more than 600 square meters and can carry a 60-member crew for 60 days at sea.