MV Xue Long 2
| History | |
|---|---|
 China | |
| Name | Xue Long 2 (simplified Chinese: 雪龙2; traditional Chinese: 雪龍2; pinyin: Xuě Lóng 2) |
| Owner | Polar Research Institute of China |
| Port of registry | Shanghai, China |
| Builder | Jiangnan Shipyard, Shanghai, China |
| Yard number | H2650 |
| Launched | 10 September 2018[1] |
| Completed | 2019 (planned) |
| Identification | IMO number: 9829241 |
| Status | Under construction |
| General characteristics [2] | |
| Type | Research vessel |
| Displacement | 14,300 tons |
| Length | 122.5 m (402 ft) |
| Beam | 22.3 m (73 ft) |
| Draught |
|
| Depth | 11.8 m (39 ft) |
| Ice class | Polar Class 3 |
| Installed power | |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
|
| Capacity | 90 crew and scientists |
| Aviation facilities | Helideck and hangar |
'MV Xue Long 2 (simplified Chinese: 雪龙2; traditional Chinese: 雪龍2; pinyin: Xuě Lóng 2; lit. 'Snow Dragon 2') is a Chinese icebreaking research vessel that is under construction and scheduled to enter service in 2019. She follows the naming of MV Xue Long, China's first polar research vessel.[3]
History
The 5 million euro[4] design contract for China's first domestically-built polar research vessel was signed in 2012 with the Finnish engineering company Aker Arctic, though construction did not begin until December 2016.[5][3] She is being built at Jiangnan Shipyard, and is expected to enter service in 2019.[3] She will serve both as a supply vessel for China's research facilities in the Arctic and Antarctic regions and as a research vessel, with capabilities for geological and biological experimentation and surveying.[6]
Design
Xue Long 2 measures 122.5 metres (402 ft) long, with a beam of 22.3 metres (73 ft) and a draft of 8.3 metres (27 ft) at full load.[6] She has a displacement of 14,300 tonnes.[6] She has a diesel-electric propulsion system, with two 16-cylinder and two 12-cylinder engines, both Wärtsilä 32-series designs, powering two 7.5 MW Azipod propulsion units that give her a speed of up to 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) in open water and 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) when breaking ice.[6] Her ice class is Polar Class 3 (PC 3) and she is able to break ice up to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) thick while traveling either ahead or astern.[6]
References
- ^ China Launches Icebreaker Xuelong 2. The Maritime Executive, 10 September 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
- ^ China builds first polar research ship. The Motorship, 17 April 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
- ^ a b c "First Chinese-built polar icebreaker gets name". Xinhua. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ China awards Aker Arctic contract for icebreaker design. MarineLog, 31 July 2012. Retrieved 2018-08-17.
- ^ "New icebreaker planned by 2016: officials". China Daily. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "China builds first polar research ship". The Motorship. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.