Sansha I: A new vessel that supplies South China Sea islands

A new supply ship, Sansha I, set sail for Sansha from Wenchang, south China's Hainan province, on its maiden voyage to islands in the vast South China Sea on Jan. 5, 2015. The civil ship Sansha I is the largest and most advanced vessel yet to supply and commute between Hainan Island and islets in the South China Sea.

Sansha I, 122 meters long and 21 meters wide, has a displacement of 7,800 tonnes. The rollon-rolloff vessel can accommodate up to 456 people and carry 20 standard container trailers, cover 6,000 nautical miles without docking and has a top speed of 19 knots. It has a helicopter pad to help in rescue missions.

Sailing time between Wenchang on Hainan Island and Sansha's seat of government at Yongxing Island will be reduced from 15 hours to about 10. Sansha I will make a round trip once a week.