China’s latest technological marvel, the Xin Hong Zhuan, has embarked on a landmark 4,000-nautical-mile voyage from Dalian, Liaoning Province. This journey marks the launch of the world’s first intelligent vessel designed for both research and maritime teaching practice.
The voyage, which began on Monday, is part of the celebrations for China’s National Maritime Day on July 11. Over approximately 30 days, the Xin Hong Zhuan will visit six public-access ports, undertaking pioneering intelligent navigation experiments along the way.
One of the core missions is to tackle busy traffic conditions near Haikou’s Xinhai Port and navigate the complex, narrow channels of Yangpu Port. These are areas where variable depths and intricate conditions have traditionally challenged even the most skilled human crews.
The 69.8-meter long and 10.9-meter wide vessel was jointly built by Dalian Maritime University and China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited. It features six revolutionary intelligent systems developed entirely with domestic intellectual property. The ship’s semi-enclosed bow and stern are designed to deploy unmanned boats, drones, and research equipment.
“Simply input the destination port at the console, and the ship can autonomously complete the voyage,” said Sun Feng, head of the research and development office at Dalian COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. “Perception sensors deployed on board allow the vessel to make autonomous judgments and control adjustments based on the surrounding environment.”
The six major intelligent systems integrate navigation, engineering, and electrical equipment into a cohesive autonomous platform. Advanced navigation and communication systems provided by COSCO Shipping support the ship’s autonomous capabilities.
“From hardware chips to software algorithms, everything is independently controllable,” said Zhang Anming, general manager of COSCO Shipping (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. “The degree of intelligence reaches internationally leading levels and will strongly support navigation safety, efficiency, and the security of data and systems.”
The Xin Hong Zhuan has recently succeeded in autonomous navigation through a narrow channel under the control of its intelligent system. “The overall testing process also achieved key operations like autonomous collision avoidance and real-time route adjustment,” said Wang Guofeng, executive director of the unmanned ships collaborative innovation institute at Dalian Maritime University.
This groundbreaking voyage not only showcases China’s advancements in maritime technology but also sets the stage for the future of intelligent shipping. As the Xin Hong Zhuan continues its journey, it represents a significant step toward a new era of autonomous navigation.
