On July 13, the delivery ceremony of the intelligent research vessel Tongji, the construction and classification survey of which was carried out by China Classification Society (CCS), was held at the Cruise Terminal of Shanghai North Bund International Passenger Center. Mr. Zhang Qingwen, vice president of CCS, attended the ceremony.

Developed and designed by China Ship Research and Design Center and built by CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. for Tongji University, Vessel "Tongji" is a new-generation green, low-noise, and intelligent comprehensive research vessel. With an overall length of 81.5 meters, the ship adopts a hybrid power system consisting of DC busbars plus lithium iron phosphate batteries. The ship has obtained four intelligent class notations: CCS i-ship (R1, No, E, I), featuring four core functions: remote control, autonomous navigation in open waters, intelligent energy efficiency management, and an intelligent integrated platform. By integrating multiple functions including marine geological, marine chemical, and marine biological expedition and research, talent cultivation, popular science education, as well as cultural inheritance, this ship serves as the "Marine Campus" that Tongji University is dedicated to build. 

Since the project commenced on April 25, 2024, CCS Shanghai Rules and Research Institute has attached great importance to plan approval for the vessel “Tongji”. The plan approval team has closely followed the shipbuilding process, actively collaborated with the designer to provide comprehensive technical support, and proactively addressed key technical problems to ensure successful completion of construction and delivery of the ship. The on-site CCS project team has fully aligned with the project timelines while maintaining strict quality control. The team has conducted multiple communications on the project with the university, the shipyard, and the designer.    In particular, discussions were held on the mooring and sea trial program for the intelligent navigation and remote control system, so as to fully take account of the risks of intelligent sea trials. Risk assessment has been carried out and an emergency plan has been developed for this purpose.  In addition, Nansha Survey Station under CCS Guangzhou Branch has summarized in advance the pre-delivery requirements in advance, urged relevant parties to implement them, and assisted the shipyard in backward scheduling the production plan. All these efforts have ensured successful completion of over 100 sea trial test items, including overall performances, vibration and noise measurements in living environments, underwater radiated noise measurements, and intelligent navigation and remote control systems.

Photo credit: CCTV News

After delivery, the ship will be used for oceanographic research for Tongji University, performing offshore engineering construction tasks, and carrying out students' offshore internship, thus providing equipment support for marine scientific research and training of maritime professionals.

Mr.Ju Liqiang, chief inspection officer of the International Ship  Business Operation Center, and Mr. Fang Yu, deputy director of Nansha Survey Office of CCS Guangzhou Branch were invited to attend the ceremony.