On September 27, the “Dongfanghong 2” comprehensive marine scientific research and training ship, modified by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Wuchang Shipbuilding for Ocean University of China, was successfully launched in Wuhan. This marks the completion of a core phase of the modification for this research vessel with 27 years of illustrious service. Having taken on a new look, it is about to continue its journey in China’s marine science and education cause with a全新的姿态.
Leaders from relevant units attended the launch ceremony, including Wang Houjie, Vice President of Ocean University of China; He Wei, Deputy General Manager of CCS Wuhan Branch; Zhu Jianzhang, Deputy Director of the 708 Research Institute of CSSC; Qiu Aihua, Deputy Director of the 711 Research Institute of CSSC; Xun Zhenglai, Executive Director of Shanghai Jiachuan Engineering Supervision Development Co., Ltd.; Li Huangling, Deputy General Manager; and Tian Jun, Member of the Party Committee and Deputy General Manager of Wuchang Shipbuilding.
The “Dongfanghong 2” comprehensive marine scientific research and training ship is a vessel of merit in China’s marine science and education cause. Its construction began in 1993, and it was officially put into operation in January 1996. It is the second-generation ship in the “Dongfanghong” series, following the first comprehensive marine survey and training ship “Dongfanghong,” which was independently designed and built in China during the early 1960s. It has witnessed, experienced, and practiced the development of the national marine science and education cause.
Having been in service for 27 years, the ship has sailed 600,000 nautical miles, equivalent to circling the Earth 28 times. Its tracks have covered six sea areas, and it has set multiple records in China’s scientific investigation work. It is a veritable “meritorious vessel” for scientific research, having made significant historic contributions to national marine talent cultivation and marine scientific investigation.
The core objectives of this modification were “restoring function, expanding capability, and optimizing performance.” Adhering to high standards, a high starting point, high benchmarks, and a “100+1” quality philosophy, Wuchang Shipbuilding advanced the project in close collaboration with Ocean University of China and design units, tackling challenges together. This effort achieved six major upgrades: ship control and power system upgrades, scientific research system functional upgrades, optimization of working spaces, improvement of navigation performance, optimization of user experience and costs, and extension of the ship’s service life.
After the modification and upgrade, the ship possesses the capability for “unlimited navigation area, global voyage.” At an economical speed of 12 knots, its endurance reaches 13,000 nautical miles, with an autonomy of 60 days, allowing it to reach and operate in most sea areas globally. It can simultaneously conduct multidisciplinary comprehensive surveys including hydrology, meteorology, physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and geophysics in both shelf seas and oceans, achieving “one-stop comprehensive scientific research.”
While enhancing functionality, this modification significantly reduces the ship’s future operational and maintenance costs, ensuring an additional 30 years of use and achieving the operational goals of “high efficiency, low consumption, and long cycle.”
This modification also incorporated several core technologies: specialized vibration and noise reduction processes were adopted to greatly reduce interference from ship operations on precision scientific equipment, ensuring observation accuracy; customized installation and adaptation solutions were developed to address compatibility challenges of “installing new equipment on an old hull,” solving the adaptation issues between new equipment and the original hull structure and systems; 3D modeling and精细化 planning technologies were used to achieve efficient and compact arrangement of scientific equipment, power systems, and laboratories; precision measurement and calibration technologies were introduced to ensure the installation accuracy of ship platform equipment and scientific equipment met standards; innovatively adopting “active weight margin management” technology, the weight of every piece of equipment and material was meticulously counted, deviations were recorded in real-time, and layouts were adjusted in advance to ensure the lightship weight and center of gravity precisely met design requirements, guaranteeing ship stability.
Over the years, Wuchang Shipbuilding has accumulated substantial achievements in the design and construction of research vessels. It has successively built, modified, and delivered a series of scientific research ships including the “Kexue,” “Haiyang Liuhào,” “Xiangyanghong 01,” “Xiangyanghong 03,” “Xiangyanghong 05,” “Xiangyanghong 18,” “Xiangyanghong 22,” “Dayang Yihao,” and “Shenhai Yihao.” It is one of the shipbuilding enterprises in China that has constructed the most varieties, the largest number, and the most technologically advanced research vessels.
This major repair and modification of the “Dongfanghong 2” ship is not only a “refresh and upgrade” for the “meritorious vessel” but also a practice in response to the national “Marine Power” strategy, reinjecting new momentum into the national marine cause.
After the delivery of the “Dongfanghong 2” ship, it will continue its original mission, undertaking comprehensive multidisciplinary marine scientific observation and systematic research, as well as student training and practice. It will provide a higher-level platform and guarantee for the construction of a “Marine Power” and the development of the national marine science and education cause, making greater and newer contributions.
