MV Tian Kun Hao
MV Tian Kun Hao (天鯤) is a Chinese dredger that has been described variously as “Asia’s most powerful island maker” [1] and "magic island maker" due to its capability to dig 6,000 cubic metres per hour of sand/silt.[2][3] The ship was launched at Qidong in Jiangsu province in November 2017.[4] The ship is apparently named after "a legendary enormous fish which can turn into a mythical bird".[3]
Design
- Length = 140m[3]
- Beam width = 28m
- Designer = Tianjin Dredging Co., a subsidiary of the China Communications Construction Company[4]
- Dredging depth = 35m[3]
- Discharge distance = 15 km[3]
Purpose
Various sources have speculated that the ship will be used for island building in the area of the South China Sea claimed by China[2][1] and for possible use in areas of territorial disputes with countries including Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
References
- Launch of Beijing’s new dredger may spark concerns of renewed island building in South China Sea: Testing of Tian Kun Hao could upset Beijing’s neighbours, but Chinese analyst says vessel will not be used to boost China’s claims in disputed waters, Laura Zhou & Kristin Huang, South China Morning Post, 2017-11-03
- China unveils massive island-building vessel, Space Daily, 2017-11-04
- "What is China's 'magic island-making' ship?". BBC News. BBC News. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
- "Asia's largest dredging vessel completes first sea trial". Xinhua. 12 June 2018. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
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