Chinese research vessel arrives in Nigeria

The Chinese scientific research ship Dayang Yihao, or Ocean One, on Friday arrived in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub, on a joint scientific research mission.

The vessel will conduct research mainly on the western part of Nigerian waters, where a comprehensive oceanic survey will be conducted alongside the Nigerian side.

A total of eight Nigerian scientists will join the Chinese research team in different phases of the voyage.

This is the first time marine scientists from China and Nigeria are working together on sea research, Tang Yong, the chief scientist of the ship's research team, said.

Tang said the research will enable Nigeria to know the fishing condition on its sea, adding that the ship is expected to conclude its voyage by the end of August.

Already, the Nigerian Navy has sent six personnel to provide security for the visiting team.

Officials of the Chinese Consulate in Lagos, led by Liu Xianfa, the consul-general, welcomed the visiting team at a brief ceremony.

Dayang Yihao is the only open-ocean going vessel designated and equipped for deep-sea research in China.

During a previous scientific research in 2011, the ship crossed the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, calling at the ports of Brazil, Panama and Ecuador. The mission covered a total of 64,000 nautical miles. The voyage showed positive results with studies on metal sulfides and nodules, the marine environment, genes and biological marine biodiversity.