China has successfully tested a new flat-deck cargo ship designed for polar waters, boasting a carrying capacity of 58,000 tonnes. According to the South China Morning Post, the ship named Fan Zhou 8 has become the largest vessel of its kind in the world.

Fan Zhou 8 was launched from the shipyard of Taizhou Zhonghang, located in Zhejiang Province. On December 24, 2024, it returned to the dock after undergoing various tests in waters east of Shanghai.

The vessel is distinguished by its excellent seafaring capabilities and fully complies with the Polar Code, which sets standards for ships operating in polar regions. It measures 256 metres in length and 51 metres in width, enabling a sailing range of up to 16,000 nautical miles at a maximum speed of over 15 knots.

Fan Zhou 8 is capable of transporting a wide range of cargo, including:

• Equipment for hydrocarbon exploration and development on the continental shelf;
• Components for wind (WPP) and nuclear power plants (NPP);
• Steel structures;
• Sections for building large ships.

It is worth noting that during the summer and fall of 2024, China increased its activity in the Arctic:

• Three icebreakers were deployed to the region,
• The newest Chinese icebreaker visited Murmansk, Russia's main Arctic port,
• China and Russia conducted their first-ever joint Arctic patrol, covering nearly 12,000 nautical miles and approaching Alaska's coastline,
• Container shipments and oil deliveries via the Northern Sea Route hit record levels in 2024,
• Equipment for Arctic LNG-2 was successfully delivered at the end of the navigation season.

Source: Neftegaz 

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