According to the Marine Design and Research Institute of China, the new research ship will be 114.3 meters long and will be able to carry 100 people-26 crew and 74 researchers, teachers and students. It will be capable of sailing more than 27,000 kilometers in a single voyage and sustaining a 60-day journey without the need of resupply.

China now operates more than 50 research ships and most of them are run by the State Oceanic Administration.