China's icebreaker "Jidi" embarks on oceanic survey
China's icebreaker Jidi has commenced its oceanic survey.
TroibNews 
The new-generation icebreaking research vessel Jidi, built in China, has embarked on its inaugural sea ice research mission in the Liaodong Bay area of the Bohai Sea, located off the northern coast of China. This mission aims to explore sea ice development, enhance marine weather forecasting, and facilitate a series of scientific explorations and research across various disciplines.
Launched in 2024, Jidi—translating to "Polar Region"—is approximately 90 meters long, 17.8 meters wide, and has a displacement tonnage of 4,600 tonnes, with a navigation capability of 14,000 nautical miles.
This mission marks the first comprehensive winter marine scientific research effort in the Bohai Sea, involving multiple research institutes and universities throughout China. It encompasses multi-element centralized observation, timed navigation observation, and various specialized research areas, including sea ice observation and remote sensing technology.
"The research team consists of 20 members from 12 academic institutions in China, and our survey focuses include hydrology, meteorology, biology, chemistry, ice surface spectroscopy, atmospheric chemistry, and other factors such as the spotted seal," explained Li Ke, director of the Sea Ice and Climate Forecast Division at the Ministry of Natural Resources' North Sea Forecast and Disaster Relief Center, who is also part of the research team.
The comprehensive research in Liaodong Bay spans various fields, from aerospace to seabed studies. The findings are anticipated to assist in ice-season navigation, the operation of offshore oil and gas platforms during extreme weather, ecological research, and other applications.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Launched in 2024, Jidi—translating to "Polar Region"—is approximately 90 meters long, 17.8 meters wide, and has a displacement tonnage of 4,600 tonnes, with a navigation capability of 14,000 nautical miles.
This mission marks the first comprehensive winter marine scientific research effort in the Bohai Sea, involving multiple research institutes and universities throughout China. It encompasses multi-element centralized observation, timed navigation observation, and various specialized research areas, including sea ice observation and remote sensing technology.
"The research team consists of 20 members from 12 academic institutions in China, and our survey focuses include hydrology, meteorology, biology, chemistry, ice surface spectroscopy, atmospheric chemistry, and other factors such as the spotted seal," explained Li Ke, director of the Sea Ice and Climate Forecast Division at the Ministry of Natural Resources' North Sea Forecast and Disaster Relief Center, who is also part of the research team.
The comprehensive research in Liaodong Bay spans various fields, from aerospace to seabed studies. The findings are anticipated to assist in ice-season navigation, the operation of offshore oil and gas platforms during extreme weather, ecological research, and other applications.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
