China Begins Construction Of 2,000-Meter Deep-Sea Manned Laboratory
China has begun construction of a manned deep-sea research laboratory in Guangzhou. The 600-ton facility will operate as a stationary submarine and can operate at depths of up to 2,000 meters with a crew of six.
Once completed, scientists will be able to stay underwater for 30 days before surfacing.
The project, called the Cold Water Ecosystem Research Facility, was developed by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The project is expected to take five years to complete, with sea trials scheduled for 2030.
The main goal of the facility is to study cold seeps, areas on the seafloor where oil and gas naturally seep into the water.
These places are home to unique organisms such as tube worms, clams and rare corals that rely on chemical energy and thrive without sunlight.
The scientists aim to understand how these ecosystems evolve, how marine life adapts to extreme pressure and darkness, and how methane interacts with the marine environment.
Unlike traditional research submarines, which have limited diving times, the deep-sea laboratory will use remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and manned mobile platforms for extended observation times.
The facility will also include surface analog systems to support high-resolution, long-term research.
Researchers believe the project will put China at the forefront of deep-sea science and sustainable development of marine resources.
It is also expected to contribute to climate research and guide the responsible extraction of methane hydrates, a potential energy source.
The development of this dedicated deep-sea laboratory requires the use of the latest engineering technologies, especially the manufacture of large components of high-pressure titanium alloys and deep bores capable of mooring submarines at depths of 2,000 meters.
According to the design drawings, the submarine will have five interconnected spherical hulls that operate under pressure, similar to Russia’s “Losharik”, a secretive deep-diving submarine believed to be used for underwater intelligence operations.
While the Chinese facility is focused on research, there are reports that the technology can also support deep-sea mining, oil and gas exploration, and maritime security efforts, especially in the South China Sea.
The project proposal was first approved by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2017 and included in China’s 14th Five-Year Plan in 2021.
As an important hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou is expected to play a key role in promoting the project’s marine research and industrialization.
The research institute leading the project said the facility will serve as an open platform for international cooperation, attracting top scientists from around the world.
