China's first deep-ocean drilling vessel capable of 11,000-meter depth enters service

The Meng Xiang, China's first domestically designed and built deep-ocean drilling vessel, entered service in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on Sunday. The vessel, capable of reaching depths of 11 kilometers, represents a significant step forward in the country's deep-sea exploration efforts.

With a gross tonnage of 33,000 tonnes, a length of 179.8 meters and a beam of 32.8 meters, the Meng Xiang can work continuously for 120 days with a range of up to 15,000 nautical miles. It is currently the only drilling vessel in the world that can perform ultra-deepwater drilling at depths of 11 kilometers.

Equipped with the world's largest and most versatile onboard laboratory, the Meng Xiang features nine specialized research facilities covering fields such as marine science, microbiology and paleomagnetism. Spanning over 3,000 square meters, these labs are enhanced with advanced technologies like digital twins, enabling real-time monitoring of drilling operations and integrated scientific research.

The vessel was developed by the China Geological Survey under the Ministry of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited and other organizations. According the plan, it will embark on its first drilling mission by the end of this year.