The Haiying Jiake, China’s first privately owned scientific research vessel, remains without a confirmed assignment nearly a month after its launch in May near Wenling, Zhejiang province. The 82-meter, 3,500-tonne ship was constructed with an investment of 150 million yuan (approximately HK$173 million) raised by a group of 37 fishermen from Zhejiang.
The vessel is equipped to conduct a range of marine scientific activities, including seabed mapping and deep-sea biological and geological surveys, and is capable of operating in various oceanic conditions, including thin sea ice. However, as of mid-June, the ship’s operators had not secured contracts for research missions, according to statements from project leader Cai Yunjie, a former fisherman who contributed more than 20 percent of the initial capital.
“We still do not have a clear plan for how the ship will make money,” Cai said, highlighting a broader issue within China’s marine research sector. Experts acknowledge that the operating costs of the Haiying Jiake are substantial, with daily expenses reaching hundreds of thousands of yuan and annual costs surpassing 10 million yuan. Chen Jiawang, deputy director of the East China Sea Laboratory, pointed out that existing market mechanisms for privately owned research vessels in China are largely undeveloped. Most marine research ships are owned and operated by universities or government entities, whose budgets are partially subsidized by public funding.
Additionally, smaller academic institutions and research organizations often encounter bureaucratic barriers when attempting to hire privately owned vessels, limiting potential demand. Wang Ruifei, chairman of the development committee at Zhejiang University’s College of Oceanography, emphasized that private research vessels require integration into national marine research programs and policy adjustments to overcome funding and management challenges.
The initiative to build the Haiying Jiake originated in 2024 after Cai identified a shortage of research vessels to meet growing scientific demand. Initially considering a smaller vessel tailored to offshore wind farm surveys, Cai shifted plans after inspecting government-owned ships at Xiamen University and the Taihu Laboratory. He resolved that any private vessel developed should meet the highest international standards.
Construction posed significant difficulties. Technical director Jia Xianrong reported managing more than 2,000 complex construction drawings and unfamiliar equipment specifications throughout the process. To address these challenges, he consulted experts across China, meticulously studying detailed technical guidance to ensure compliance with rigorous scientific and operational requirements.
The finalized vessel adheres to international standards, capable of maintaining precise positioning under gale conditions and equipped to deploy instruments for deep-sea exploration. Despite the current lack of contracts, Cai remains confident that the Haiying Jiake will secure research assignments in the near future and contribute to expanding oceanographic knowledge.
Looking ahead, Cai expressed ambitions to develop an icebreaking research vessel for polar expeditions, underscoring the ongoing need for private investment in marine scientific infrastructure to complement state-supported efforts.