China is set to initiate sea trials this Friday for its inaugural ocean research drilling vessel, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s capabilities for exploring deep-sea oil and gas reserves.
The vessel, named Mengxiang, is designed for ultra-deepwater research and drilling, capable of delving into depths surpassing 10,000 meters (32,800 feet).
The announcement was made by Chinese state media on Monday.
Mengxiang, translating to “dream” in Chinese, boasts impressive specifications, including a range of 15,000 nautical miles (27,780 kilometers) and the ability to operate continuously for 120 days without returning to port.
This state-of-the-art vessel is equipped to drill as deep as 11,000 meters below sea level and can navigate in any sea worldwide.
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While the precise location of the sea trials remains undisclosed, the development coincides with escalating tensions in the resource-rich South China Sea.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently stated that his country might initiate new energy exploration projects in the contested waterway, further intensifying the ongoing disputes.
China and the Philippines have engaged in verbal exchanges regarding multiple ship encounters in the South China Sea.
The geopolitical backdrop involves China’s expansive claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, a crucial route facilitating over $3 trillion in annual ship-borne trade.
Various parts of this strategic waterway are also claimed by neighboring nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
In March, China and the Philippines resumed talks about jointly exploring oil and gas resources in the South China Sea, where the average depth exceeds 1,200 meters (3,900 feet).
Despite this, President Marcos expressed on Saturday that there has been “very little progress” in the discussions.
