First China-made ultradeep ocean drillship completes trial voyage

China's first domestically developed drilling vessel with the world's deepest drilling depth, Mengxiang (Dream), completed its maiden trial voyage on Tuesday in the Pearl River Estuary waters of south China's Guangdong Province.

The performance and various indicators of the vessel's main power and other marine systems all meet relevant standards.

The Mengxiang, featuring high stability and structural strength, can operate in unlimited navigational areas worldwide and drill as deep as 11,000 meters in the sea.

The vessel sailed about 500 nautical miles (926 kilometers) for the trial, fulfilling 19 key commissioning and verifications of marine systems such as the ship's propulsion system and rescue anchorage, and accomplishing various verification processes in accordance with international standards. Its adaptability was also verified during the trial.

High-tech device

Zhang Haibin, chief designer of the Mengxiang from 708 Research Institute under the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), told China Media Group (CMG) that "on this trial voyage, the drillship managed to sail under the Lingdingyang Bridge."

"It is because of its design highlights, such as small tonnage, multiple functions and modularity, that the ship is able to meet the docking requirements of most wharfs worldwide. Its construction and operation costs are over 40 percent lower than those of its kind," Zhang added.

The Mengxiang, also home to the world's largest and most comprehensive onboard laboratory, will contribute to the exploration and exploitation of marine energy resources, national energy security and maritime power construction.

Key technologies adopted such as the digital twin system will enable the intelligent collaboration in scientific experiments and the monitoring of the whole process of drilling operation.

With a world-leading marine drilling capacity, it will be able to drill through the Earth's crust and into the upper mantle, which accounts for four-fifths of the Earth's volume and three-fourths of its mass. 

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