(Ecns.cn)--The Chinese research vessel and icebreaker Xue Long, or "Snow Dragon" has encountered floating ice shelves in the Antarctic waters on its way to the glacier-distal zone near the Zhongshan Station this evening.
"Xue Long must sail through dense floating ice to arrive at Prydz Bay", said the captain Shen Quan, adding that the vessel needs to alter directions to avoid clashes with the thick ice floes.
The vessel went through 66º33´south latitude and then entered the Antarctic Circle at local time 13:34 on November 28. It will arrive at the glacier-distal zone near the Zhongshan Station where it will deposit supplies for scientists on November 29.
"Xue Long is not capable of breaking ice in a glacier-distal zone and this one is unexpectedly thick (1.5 meters) - much thicker than the normal 30-60 centimeters, so it is unlikely to arrive at the scheduled unloading site as planned", Shen said.
Xue Long is equipped with a helicopter however, and supplies will be transported by air to the expedition base, added Shen.
