China's marine research vessel Xiangyanghong 03. [File Photo: Science and Technology Daily]

China has around ten marine research vessels under design or construction by the end of August 2017, according to the Oceanic Scientific Research Vessel Technology Summit 2017 held in Shanghai on Friday.

It is learned at the summit that the country's first domestically built polar research vessel and icebreaker is expected to be put into use in 2019. The vessel will be able to break polar ice with both its bow and stern.

China has 50 marine research vessels at present, which fall into series including Dongfanghong, Xiangyanghong, Yuanwang, Haiyang, Kexue and Shiyan, said Xing Wenhua, president of Shanghai Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers.

Qu Tanzhou, head of science and technology department under the State Oceanic Administration, said the number and performance of these research vessels are far from adequate in terms of global marine research and international cooperation.