China’s first smart research vessel, Tong Ji, has aced its debut sea trial and will launch its inaugural scientific mission in the South China Sea this August—a month-long expedition.

The trials put the ship through 100+ rigorous tests, assessing everything from hull performance to underwater acoustics and AI navigation systems. It passed with flying colors—even surpassing expectations in speed, maneuverability, and crew comfort.

Stretching 82 meters long with a 15-meter beam, Tong Ji packs a 2,800-ton displacement, hits 16 knots, and can cruise 8,000 nautical miles. Built for all seas (except polar ice), it shrugs off rough weather day or night.

This floating lab doesn’t just sail—it thinks. Features include open-water autopilot, remote docking, real-time diagnostics, and modular labs that adapt to everything from ROV dives to cross-disciplinary research.