(Yicai Global) Nov. 30 -- China debuted its first global ocean-resource research vessel at a shipyard in Guangzhou today, and plans to deliver it within the first half of 2019.

The 98 meter long ship is owned by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association, ScienceNet, a news portal backed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, reported. It is 17 meters wide and has a designed displacement of 4,780 tons and a cruising range of more than 14,000 nautical miles.

The vessel, named Ocean, will be able to work all over the world and is equipped with advanced propellers and more than 50 sets of surveying equipment, significantly enhancing China's ability to explore ocean resources and safeguarding the country's interests in international waters.

Founded in 1990, the R&D association is mostly engaged in global seabed resource research and finding new resources for China. It currently uses a vessel known as Ocean-1, which was transformed from a marine geological research ship belonging to the former Soviet Union.

Editor: James Boynton