(Yicai Global) Sept. 11 -- China has launched its first self-built polar icebreaker for scientific investigation purposes from Jiangnan Shipyard in the country's eastern municipality of Shanghai.

This polar icebreaker named Xue Long 2, or Snow Dragon 2 in English, represents the world's first polar icebreaker specifically for scientific investigations that adopts both bow and stern directional icebreaking technologies. The vessel is able to sail on 1.5 meter-thick ice surface over a sustained period of time.

After the delivery, this icebreaker will fill a void in terms of China's major polar scientific research equipment. The successful launch of Xue Long 2 marks a new breakthrough in China's capability for polar research, state-backed news outlet The Paper reported.

The vessel's construction was arranged by the Polar Research Institute of China, a unit of the country's natural resources ministry, while China State Shipbuilding was responsible for the design.

Xue Long 2 is 122.5m long, 22.3m wide, and 11.8 meters deep, with a draught of 7.9m. The ship boasts a displacement of 13,990 tons and loading capacity of up to 4,500 tons. This ship is able to carry 90 persons and has a range of around 20,000 nautical miles.

Editor: William Clegg