Two scientific vessels launched in sea trials

Two new vessels for scientific investigation, built from the keel up by China, were launched in Shanghai on Tuesday for sea trials.

Construction of Ocean Geology VIII and Ocean Geology IX was started by Shanghai Shipyard Co in October 2015, and the vessels will be delivered to two geological institutes under the Ministry of Land and Resources' China Geological Survey.

A third vessel, Ocean Geology X, will enter sea trials later this year. The trio will be commissioned for geophysical surveys, hydrological environment probes and mid-to deep-sea drilling.