Speedy new patrol vessel to be commissioned this year

A large ocean patrol ship, expected to be commissioned by the middle of this year, will show off the domestic development of high-quality maritime equipment.

Lin Kui, deputy director of the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration, said the Haixun 09will become the first law enforcement and ocean patrol vessel over 10,000 tons that was designed and built domestically.

The ship, which will be 165 meters long, will have a displacement of 10,700 tons. It will be capable of cruising at 25 knots, or about 47 kilometers per hour. And it will be able to operate in bad weather in any ocean except those in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, Lin said at a news conference in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Tuesday.

"The Haixun 09, will be equipped with Beidou and other advanced satellite systems, will be able to carry multiple types of helicopters and conduct rescue and maritime search operations," Lin said.

The vessel, which will have a marine data center, digital trunking and other means of communication, will have many strong capabilities - dynamic perception, monitoring and early warning; information collection; integrated command; maritime supervision and other abilities, Lin said.

"Guangdong has a vast sea area and a complex marine environment," Lin said. "The Haixun 09will certainly help strengthen the dynamic control and emergency support of Guangdong's marine traffic, ensure the safety and smooth flow of maritime traffic in the South China Sea, improve and raise China's maritime traffic management ability and play a role in safeguarding the country's maritime rights and interests."

He added that the Haixun 09will have a global rescue function, which can help China contribute more to international affairs, promote exchanges and visits with maritime departments of countries bordering the South China Sea, effectively enhance mutual communication and trust and expand consensus and cooperation.