GUANGZHOU, July 8 (Xinhua) -- China has recently launched the world's first self-propelled ship for salmon farming, marking a milestone in the country's quest for high-quality development in the modern marine fisheries industry.

This "floating factory," with a displacement of 132,000 tonnes, is able to raise 8,000 tonnes of fish annually in sealed smart tanks, said its builder, China State Shipbuilding Cooperation Limited (CSSC).

The vessel, named Su Hai No. 1, was officially delivered on June 26 at a port in Nansha, south China's Guangdong Province, CSSC confirmed to Xinhua on Tuesday.

This advancement marks China's entry into a new era of deep-sea salmon aquaculture, and is expected to reduce domestic reliance on imported salmon, CSSC said.

The vessel measures 249.8 meters in length, 45 meters in width and 21.6 meters in depth -- with total aquaculture water volume of 83,000 cubic meters.

It is equipped with four 2,800-kilowatt main generator sets to meet various power distribution needs for anchorage and migratory farming. It has a maximum speed of 10.3 knots, a range of 20,000 nautical miles and can support a crew of 50 for up to 90 days.

SMART SALMON SEA FARM

Su Hai No. 1 integrates the functions of aquaculture and processing of high-value fish species. Unlike traditional fixed deep-water intelligent net cages, it features a mobile production capability. It can swiftly relocate to safer waters in response to adverse conditions such as typhoons or red tides, thereby enhancing the safety and stability of aquaculture operations.

Once fully operational, it will head to cold water zones in the Yellow Sea, where temperatures are suitable for salmon, according to CSSC.

Notably, the vessel features 15 intelligent farming chambers mimicking ideal ocean conditions. Its AI-managed ecosystem precisely regulates water flow, oxygen, light, feed and waste removal -- an operation the crew dubs the "five elements" vital for fish welfare.

Through constant seawater exchange and adjustable currents -- the ship is able to maintain ideal conditions for salmon growth from fry to harvest.

The vessel hosts automated processing lines, which can handle both fresh and refrigerated fish products, with the capability to deliver fresh goods to major domestic markets within as little as 24 hours.

The vessel's capacity for continuous year-round farming, along with a well-planned approach to cultivation areas and timing, allows for staggered market launches of fish products. This not only significantly boosts production capacity but also effectively mitigates risks associated with market price fluctuations, CSSC revealed. ■