China to build the first polar research icebreaker by itself
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Chinese research vessel Xuelong (Snow Dragon) is China's only polar icebreaker right now. [File photo: 163.com]

Chinese officials say the country will start to build the first polar research icebreaker by itself before the end of December.

State Oceanic Administration director Wang Hong announced the news at the National Marine Science and Technology Innovation Conference in Beijing on Tuesday, December 13.

Construction is expected to last for approximately two years.The new icebreaker will be 122.5 meters long, 34 meters wide, and with a full displacement of 13,000 tons.

It will have a range of 20,000 nautical miles and will be designed to travel for up to 60 days at a time, with a full crew, without refueling.

The ship is also be fitted with the latest global positioning technology and research equipment.

Jiangnan Shipyard Group has been contracted to build the vessel, signing an agreement with the Polar Research Institute of China on November 30 of this year.

Chinese research vessel Xuelong (Snow Dragon), which is currently on its 33rd Antarctic expedition, is China's only polar icebreaker right now.Xuelong was built by Kherson Shipyard, a Ukrainian company, in 1993.

Author： 　　　Source：CRI　　　 Editor：Yang Fan