On November 13, the 2000-ton class large navigation aid vessel “Haixun 176,” built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation’s Wuchang Shipbuilding, was officially commissioned into the South China Sea Navigation Support Center of the Ministry of Transport. This vessel is currently the largest and most advanced navigation aid operation ship in China’s transportation system, and it will significantly enhance the comprehensive navigation support service level and emergency response capability in China’s South China Sea area.
This also marks a new breakthrough for Wuchang Shipbuilding in the field of maritime equipment construction, achieving fruitful results in the journey of implementing the “Maritime Power” and “Transport Power” strategies.
The commissioning ceremony was held at the Haikou Navigation Support workboat pier in Hainan. Participants included Cai Han, Deputy Director of the South China Sea Navigation Support Center; Chen Zhongming, Member of the Party Committee and Chief Accountant of Wuchang Shipbuilding; as well as leaders and guests from units such as the CSSC 708 Research Institute and the China Classification Society.
The “Haixun 176” was designed by the 708 Research Institute and constructed by Wuchang Shipbuilding, taking three years to complete. The ship has an overall length of 75.2 meters, a beam of 14 meters, a full load displacement of 2360 tons, an endurance of 5000 nautical miles, self-sustainability of 40 days, and a maximum speed exceeding 15 knots. The ship adopts a full electric propulsion system, a dual full-revolution rudder-propeller propulsion method, and is equipped with a dynamic positioning system, enabling safe navigation in Sea State 6 conditions and safe operations in Sea State 4 conditions. With its long endurance, it can support navigation aid deployment and emergency repairs in offshore areas.
In terms of low carbon and environmental protection, the ship employs multiple environmental technologies, including low-sulfur fuel oil tanks, sulfur oil cooling devices, and oil-water separators. Domestic sewage is treated to meet standards before discharge. The cabins use high-efficiency insulation materials to reduce heat transfer and condensation, improving energy utilization efficiency. Furthermore, as a domestic navigation sea-going ship, it uses seawater from its jurisdiction as ballast water, causing no environmental pollution.
Regarding navigation aid operation capabilities, the ship is equipped with a 20-ton hydraulic crane, a 20-ton self-discharging chain winch, and a shark jaw device. It can carry eight sets of 2.4-meter diameter navigation aids or six sets of 3-meter diameter navigation aids, with a total navigation aid loading capacity of 90 tons. Its intelligent engine room system integrates electronic chart, radar, and dynamic positioning data for fault early warning and health assessment, enabling precise operations in wind and waves, ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime operations.
After being commissioned, the “Haixun 176” will be managed and operated by the Haikou Navigation Aid Office. It will undertake tasks such as navigation aid deployment, maintenance, and navigation assistance management in the South China Sea area. Simultaneously, it possesses multiple functions including maritime oil spill response, maritime emergency search and rescue, transport of duty personnel, material supply, and radio navigation signal monitoring. It will focus on serving waters like the Qiongzhou Strait and Sansha, enhancing the navigation support service capability and level in the South China Sea. Benefiting from advantages such as new technology, new equipment, and high efficiency, the “Haixun 176” will increase navigation aid maintenance efficiency by 35% and improve emergency response timeliness by 15%.
During the construction process of the “Haixun 176,” Wuchang Shipbuilding consistently aimed to “build high-quality ships.” Through full-process lean management, construction model and technological innovation, and optimization of the construction process, it achieved steady improvements in production efficiency and quality. It continued to tackle key areas such as electric propulsion technology and vibration and noise reduction, consolidating technical advantages and promoting innovation and upgrading.
Over the years, Wuchang Shipbuilding has continuously deepened its involvement in the construction of public service and law enforcement vessels, accumulating substantial achievements and establishing a strong brand in this field. In recent years, it has successively delivered multiple public service vessels such as the “Haixun 01,” “Haixun 06,” “Haixun 173,” “Haixun 156,” and “Haixun 041.” After being commissioned, these vessels have made significant contributions to safeguarding China’s maritime rights and interests and ensuring navigation safety.
It is understood that after the commissioning ceremony, the “Haixun 176” immediately entered a state of readiness. Its maiden voyage will perform navigation aid inspection tasks in the Qiongzhou Strait, providing navigation support for the closed-off operation of the Hainan Free Trade Port. Relevant personnel from the South China Sea Navigation Support Center stated that the “Haixun 176” will be prioritized for major tasks to enhance emergency response efficiency.
