China starts work on US$97 million, 10,700 tonne civilian patrol vessel – its biggest ever

Ship commissioned by Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration expected to go to sea in September next year

Vessel designed to handle a range of tasks, from emergency operations and law enforcement to search and rescue missions and even tackling pollution

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China is building a 10,700 tonne patrol vessel to boost its civilian fleet. Photo: Weibo

Published: 9:00pm, 8 Jan 2020Updated: 8:27pm, 17 Feb 2020

With tensions between Beijing and its neighbours riding high over territorial claims in the South China Sea, a Chinese shipyard has begun work on what will be the largest offshore patrol vessel in the nation’s civilian fleet, according to a state media report.

Commissioned by the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration, the 676 million yuan (US$97.1 million) ship is designed to handle a range of tasks, from emergency operations and law enforcement to search and rescue missions and even tackling pollution, China News Service reported.

At 165 metres (540 feet) long and 20.6 metres wide, the vessel will weigh in at 10,700 tonnes and be large enough to accommodate several types of helicopters. According to earlier reports it is expected to be completed by September next year.

At present, only the Chinese coastguard, which is administered by the People’s Armed Police – a branch of the military – has patrol ships weighing more than 10,000 tonnes.

The new vessel will provide a boost to China’s civilian maritime law enforcement capabilities, observers say.

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