China launches world’s first self-propelled salmon farming vessel.
China has launched what it claims is the world’s first self-propelled vessel designed for salmon aquaculture, marking a significant development in the country’s marine fisheries sector, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC), the Su Hai No. 1 is a 132,000-tonne displacement vessel capable of producing up to 8,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon annually in sealed, AI-managed farming tanks. The vessel was officially delivered on 26 June at a port in Nansha, Guangdong Province, CSSC confirmed to Xinhua.
At 249.8 meters long, 45 meters wide, and 21.6 meters deep, the vessel contains 83,000 cubic meters of aquaculture water volume and is powered by four 2,800-kilowatt generators. It has a maximum speed of 10.3 knots and a range of 20,000 nautical miles, supporting a crew of 50 for up to 90 days.
Unlike traditional fixed aquaculture installations, Su Hai No. 1 is mobile, allowing it to avoid adverse marine conditions such as typhoons or algal blooms by relocating to safer waters. The vessel is expected to operate in the Yellow Sea, where water temperatures are suitable for salmon farming.
The vessel is equipped with 15 intelligent farming chambers designed to replicate ideal oceanic conditions. Its AI systems manage oxygen levels, lighting, water flow, feed distribution, and waste removal — a set of conditions referred to by the crew as the “five elements” critical to fish welfare.
CSSC said the floating farm also features on-board processing lines capable of handling both fresh and refrigerated fish, enabling delivery to domestic markets within 24 hours. The year-round farming model and the ability to stagger harvests are intended to reduce exposure to seasonal price volatility and improve production efficiency.
The project forms part of China’s broader push to modernise and expand domestic seafood production while reducing reliance on imports.