On July 8, 2024, the world’s first intelligent research and training dual-purpose ship “XIN HONG ZHUAN” that integrates intelligent research and teaching training was officially named and delivered. It was drawing reviewed and surveyed by China Classification Society (CCS). CCS President Sun Feng was invited to attend the ceremony.

“XIN HONG ZHUAN” ship was built by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Dalian) Co., Ltd. for Dalian Maritime University. It was designed independently by Dalian Maritime University and classified by CCS. It is a new type of ship that integrates intelligent research and teaching training. This ship, 69.83m long, 10.90m wide and 5.0m deep, can navigate in unlimited navigation areas, with a design draft of 3.5m, a design speed of 18 knots, and an endurance of 2,500 nautical miles.

“XIN HONG ZHUAN” ship meets the CCS “Rules for Intelligent Ships”, and has intelligent ship functions including autonomous navigation in open waters, intelligent engine room management, intelligent integration platform, ship end remote control, etc. It will obtain i-Ship (I.Nx, Mx, Hx, Ex, Ri) intelligent classification symbols to achieve intelligent full coverage as well as deep integration of driving, machinery, and electricity. At the same time, it is equipped with an all-electric drive pod propulsion system, INS integrated navigation system, and integrated automation system to achieve comprehensive perception of the ship’s navigation environment through deep fusion of multiple sensors on the water and under the water.

An intelligent decision-making model has been established based on the maritime regulations and navigation big data to achieve autonomous collision avoidance. Subsequently, by building a shore-based information support center, remote monitoring of the navigation site from multiple perspectives and angles will be achieved to provide navigation information and auxiliary decision-making support for the ship end. Moreover, the center will have the functions of remote ship control and autonomous operation of ship end equipment to achieve trans-time-and-space human-machine integration control, with the level of ship intelligence reaching the global forefront level.

As an important platform for intelligence research and experimental verification of ships for Dalian Maritime University, the “XIN HONG ZHUAN” ship has the functions of intelligent research application as well as practical teaching and training. On the one hand, it serves the scientific research on intelligent ships, and relevant scientific research project experiments are carried out based on the ship’s laboratory and research facilities to promote the basic theoretical research and common key technology development of intelligent ships, as well as the application demonstration and promotion, further enhance the level of experimental equipment for intelligent ship development and application technology research at Dalian Maritime University, and provide technical support for the development of intelligent ships in China. On the other hand, it serves the on-site teaching of Dalian Maritime University to provide a teaching platform for students’ cognitive learning and practical training. It is committed to cultivating shipping talents in the new intelligent shipping industry.

CCS has attached great importance to the drawing review and survey of this project. CCS has established a project team to jointly promote the integration of industry, university and research, fully leveraged CCS’s technical advantages in technical standards, ship drawing review and on-site survey, actively assisted in the completion of key tasks including intelligent system scheme review, autonomous navigation risk assessment, autonomous navigation simulation testing, intelligent system mooring, navigation test outline review, etc., closely followed the progress of ship production, strictly controlled the quality, fully guaranteed successful ship delivery, and fully assisted in building a new platform for intelligent ship technology research and high-level shipping talent cultivation in China, injecting new impetus into the cultivation of new quality productivity.