China Shipbuilding Pushing Technology Envelope
China Shipbuilding Industry Corp (CSIC) has begun to upgrade the design of its first-ever floating nuclear power platform ready for a wider spectrum of applications. The company is also expanding its submersible construction activities.
According to MANA, he floating nuclear technology can be used to provide electricity for oil rigs, offshore desalination plants or in remote areas such as the South China Sea. It is also suitable for nuclear-powered icebreakers.
The construction of China's first maritime nuclear power plant is scheduled to be completed by 2018 and is due to be operational by 2019. The project is being undertaken by CSIC and China National Nuclear Corp.
CSIC is also developing deep-sea submersibles for rough seas, with a first vessel to be tested this year anticipated to be able to reach a depth of 4,500 meters (2.8 miles).
Besides China, only the United States, France, Russia and Japan have produced manned submersibles capable of reaching depths of 6,000 meters (3.7 miles), reports the South China Morning Post.