China’s Xin Hong Zhuan, a smart vessel designed for both research and maritime education, has embarked on a significant 4,000-nautical-mile journey from Dalian, in Northeast China.
According to Chinese media, the 30-day voyage, part of the National Maritime Day celebrations on July 11, includes visits to six public-access ports and tests the ship’s pioneering autonomous navigation technologies in complex maritime environments like Haikou’s Xinhai Port and the narrow, challenging channels of Yangpu Port.
Jointly developed by Dalian Maritime University and China COSCO Shipping Corporation, the 69.8-meter vessel integrates six advanced intelligent systems built entirely with domestic technology. These systems unify navigation, engineering, and electrical controls into a single autonomous platform capable of completing voyages with just a destination input. Its design also supports the deployment of unmanned boats, drones, and research equipment.
Equipped with perception sensors and communication systems, including a weather routing system and electronic chart navigation, the vessel can reportedly autonomously adjust its course, avoid collisions, and respond to environmental changes in real time.
Officials from COSCO and Dalian Maritime University highlighted the vessel’s recent successful autonomous navigation through narrow channels as a milestone in maritime innovation and safety.
