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China is building a new type of unmanned research ship
- Vessel will carry drones and be able to conduct air, sea surface and underwater monitoring remotely, and navigate autonomously in open water
- China has been investing heavily in marine research but its activities have been greeted with suspicion by neighbouring countries
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A Chinese shipbuilder has begun work on an unmanned scientific ship that could be a “game changer” for the country’s marine research, according to a trade publication.
The vessel – said to be the first of its type – will carry drones and be equipped to conduct air, sea surface and underwater monitoring remotely, China Ship News reported on Tuesday.
It could be used for everything from disaster prevention and mitigation work to seabed mapping, environmental monitoring and maintenance of offshore wind farms.
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“The ship will use sensors, satellite communication, the internet and other technological means to autonomously navigate in open water, and it will dock and leave the dock with assistance,” the report said. “It could be a game changer for marine survey work.”
China is the world’s biggest shipbuilder and has ambitions of becoming a global maritime power. As well as navy ships, it has also been investing heavily in research vessels in recent years, with the newest and biggest expected to make its maiden voyage to the South China Sea in October.
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