On July 10, 2026, the Long March 10B carrier rocket successfully completed its maiden flight at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan and was recovered by the offshore recovery platform “LING HANG ZHE” using a wire arrestment recovery system – a world-first innovation. The event sparked nationwide media attention, with extensive coverage from major central media outlets. The “LING HANG ZHE” is China’s first offshore rocket recovery platform to obtain a classification certificate from China Classification Society (CCS), and CCS provided comprehensive support throughout the entire process.

Source: CCS

Innovative Conversion and Technical Capabilities

The “LING HANG ZHE” was innovatively converted from a non-propelled barge, presenting unprecedented technical complexity and conversion challenges. It integrates an advanced DP2 dynamic positioning system, a remote-controlled operation system, and a dedicated rocket engine recovery support system, enabling high-precision automatic positioning and floating condition control in complex marine environments. Functioning like a mobile “maritime airport,” it provides a critical platform for the stable landing and safe recovery of rocket engines.

CCS Survey and Quality Assurance

During the platform’s conversion and survey phase, faced with tight delivery deadlines, heavy workloads, and high technical specification, CCS took the lead in assembling an elite survey team and remained proactively involved throughout the project. CCS’s work spanned from initial proposal review and technical specification implemented, through on-site supervision during conversion and equipment installation and commissioning, all the way to system integration testing and final stage of sea trials.

During the most critical construction phase of the project, CCS maintained a permanent presence on-site, working closely alongside with all participating parties and putting in extended hours to provide perspectiveness technical guidance and optimization recommendations. Particularly during the integration and validation of core systems – including the DP2 dynamic positioning system and the remote-control network – CCS’s expertise and rigorous professionalism ensured that every step and every data point strictly complied with regulatory standards and safety requirements.

Pre-Launch Support and Typhoon Response

During the platform’s launch preparations, CCS participated in a support coordination meeting convened by the Hainan Provincial Government, providing recommendations from the perspective of maritime safety for the “LING HANG ZHE.”

To ensure the safety of the recovery platform – and with a typhoon passing through the area – surveyors from CCS rushed to the scene immediately after the typhoon subsided and worked through the night until 5:00 a.m. to assist the shipowner with pre-departure inspections. The surveyors conducted a comprehensive verification of the vessel’s seaworthiness, inspecting the integrity of tow cables and emergency towing equipment, the condition of lashing gear, the watertightness of hatch covers, stability, and communication, navigation, firefighting, and lifesaving systems – ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the recovery platform during its offshore mission. Overcoming adverse sea conditions left by the typhoon, the surveyors ensured that the “LING HANG ZHE” arrived safely and on schedule at its designated operating area to carry out the recovery mission.

Future Outlook

CCS will continue to safeguard more high-tech vessels and offshore engineering facilities as they venture into deeper waters, backed by more advanced technical standards and h