China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) has delivered the world’s first 80,000-ton sea-going aquaculture vessel, marking a major leap forward in deep-sea and large-scale aquaculture technology.
The vessel, named Sennhai Pioneer, was officially handed over to Dalian Shipyard Shanchuan Heavy Industry, a subsidiary of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation. It is the first aquaculture ship of its kind to receive full classification certification from the China Classification Society, the company said in a press release.
Converted from a Panamax bulk carrier, Sennhai Pioneer measures 224.9 meters in length, 32.2 meters in beam, and 18.5 meters in depth. It features seven large aquaculture tanks with a combined water volume of nearly 80,000 cubic meters. Designed to withstand wind and wave conditions up to level 17, the vessel has a service life of over 20 years.
One of the vessel’s most notable innovations is its scientific hull design, featuring openings on the sides and bottom that allow for natural seawater exchange within the aquaculture tanks.
Credits: CSSC
Operating as a mobile deep-sea ranch, Sennhai Pioneer is capable of cruising between northern and southern waters to avoid typhoons and red tides. Using compartmentalized farming and adapting to varying sea environments, the vessel is expected to produce between 2,280 and 2,800 tons of high-quality fish annually in the waters from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea.
This delivery marks a milestone in China's advancement of marine aquaculture infrastructure and opens new possibilities for offshore seafood production.
