First China-made polar cruise ship on sea trial

NANJING - The first China-built cruise ship for polar expeditions has been on a seven-day sea trial departing from a dock in Haimen, East China's Jiangsu province.

According to the local maritime bureau, the vessel underwent a series of strict equipment tests before the trial on Wednesday. It will be escorted by the bureau's sea cruiser.

With a total of 135 rooms, the 104.4-meter-long and 18.4-meter-wide liner weighs about 8,000 tons. It can operate at a speed up to 15.5 knots.

Bureau staff said the vessel meets high safety standard for a polar passenger ship and can provide recreational activities like maritime adventure and water sports.

The ship is expected to be back on July 16 and will be maintained and painted before its delivery to the owner Sunstone Ships Inc in September, the world's leading provider of expedition vessels.