On July 4, the Guangdong Provincial Government Procurement Center officially announced the winning bid for the “Unmanned Deep-Sea Feed Transport Vessel Development and Engineering Demonstration Project” by the Guangdong Modern Agricultural Equipment Research Institute. A consortium led by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) 605 Research Institute, in collaboration with CSSC Guijiang Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Sun Yat-sen University, Jimei University, Ganghang Haibian Gunyang (Zhanjiang) Co., Ltd., and Guangdong Zhanjiang Shipping Group Co., Ltd., successfully secured the bid. This marks another major breakthrough for the 605 Research Institute in the field of intelligent unmanned marine equipment.
The project addresses the complex maritime conditions of the South China Sea, including frequent typhoons, high waves, and strong currents. Leveraging its comprehensive achievements in unmanned vessel R&D, the 605 Research Institute will develop a 20-ton payload unmanned transport vessel capable of withstanding Level 9 winds, autonomous navigation, and all-weather operation. Through full-cycle efforts in R&D design, testing, construction, and sea trials, the project aims to overcome key technologies such as autonomous obstacle avoidance, convenient docking, precise feeding, and shore-sea coordination. This will enable intelligent, unmanned operations in feed transportation, feeding, and management, with technical validation conducted in designated demonstration waters.
As the consortium leader, the 605 Research Institute is responsible for overall design and will leverage the strengths of its partners—shipbuilding (CSSC Guijiang Shipbuilding), marine research (Jimei University, Sun Yat-sen University), aquaculture operations (Ganghang Haibian Gunyang), and shipping logistics (Zhanjiang Shipping Group)—to advance the project. The initiative adopts a management model combining “owner system + horse-racing system + venture investment-financing system,” with strict milestones: design completion and acceptance by 2025, vessel delivery by 2026, and 100 sea trial voyages by 2027, ensuring efficient transformation of scientific achievements.
This deep-sea unmanned feed transport vessel project is a key measure by Guangdong Province to implement the “1310” specific plan and the “Hundreds, Thousands, and Tens of Thousands Project.” Upon completion, it will establish an independently controlled deep-sea aquaculture equipment system, providing standardized and intelligent solutions for the province’s modern marine pasture construction. The 605 Research Institute will seize this opportunity to further strengthen its leadership role in marine equipment R&D in the Greater Bay Area, contributing to the high-quality development of the blue ocean economy.
