After eight years of in-depth research, development, demonstration, and onboard validation, the cruising sea-based aquaculture method has successfully achieved mobile, trans-oceanic farming in deep and deep waters, a major breakthrough for China's marine aquaculture industry.

On July 20, 2025, the world's first 80,000-ton sea-going aquaculture vessel, the "Senhai Pioneer," was officially delivered.

The delivery of the "Senhai Pioneer" was like a bombshell, accelerating China's deep-sea aquaculture development. This 80,000-ton sea-going aquaculture vessel breaks the deadlock of nearshore cage saturation and reliance on the weather. With its innovative design and superior performance, it has become a new benchmark in the "blue granary," leading China's marine aquaculture industry from "nearshore cultivation" to "deep-sea grazing and fishing."

I. Innovation and Navigation: The Technological Secrets of Building a "Sea Giant"

(I) Unique Design, Adapted to the Deep Blue

The "Senhai Pioneer," a magnificent transformation from a Panamax bulk carrier, boasts an overall length of 224.9 meters, a beam of 32.2 meters, and a depth of 18.5 meters. It boasts seven large aquaculture tanks, nearly 80,000 cubic meters of water, and a design lifespan of over 20 years, making it a true "giant" of the ocean. Its most notable feature is the strategically placed openings in the side and bottom of the hull, allowing the aquaculture water within the tanks to flow naturally with the sea, enabling natural water exchange. This innovative design not only empowers it to cultivate a wide variety of deep-sea fish, but also significantly reduces daily operating costs, laying a solid foundation for the long-term sustainable development of deep-sea aquaculture.

(II) Functional Integration, Versatile and Versatile

This vessel, classed by the China Classification Society (CCS) in strict accordance with international standards, is capable of unlimited global navigation. Like a fearless ocean explorer, it can not only navigate freely in domestic coastal waters but also venture into the high seas, opening up new horizons for deep-sea aquaculture. It cleverly integrates the functions of a ship, a cage, and a semi-submersible vessel, becoming a versatile marine aquaculture "jack of all trades." It can freely navigate and flexibly relocate in the vast ocean like a ship, carry out efficient factory-style aquaculture operations like a large cage, and smoothly ascend and descend like a semi-submersible, showcasing the charm and strength of technology.

II. Empowering Models: Opening the Door to Efficient Aquaculture

(I) Specialized Aquaculture, Precise Positioning

The "Senhai Pioneer" utilizes five distinctive aquaculture models: onboard aquaculture, land-sea relay, mobile translocation, three-dimensional aquaculture, and intelligent factory-based operations. It can adapt to actual needs, enabling cross-border and north-south translocation of aquaculture, avoiding natural disasters such as typhoons, red tides, and pests and diseases, and precisely locating the most suitable waters for aquaculture species. The free exchange of water between the aquaculture chambers creates a high-quality, natural environment for fish, allowing them to thrive in conditions closer to nature, significantly improving product quality.

(II) Self-sustaining Wave Resistance, Stable Production

The vessel boasts exceptional sea-sustaining capabilities, capable of maintaining a six-month supply reserve. This reduces resupply frequency and operating costs, enabling continuous and stable aquaculture operations even in vast waters far from land. Furthermore, its excellent wind and wave resistance effectively mitigates sloshing and reduces fish stress, creating a stable and comfortable "home" for fish, fostering healthy growth and ensuring stable and reliable aquaculture production.

III. Highlighting Value: A Powerful Engine Leading Industrial Transformation

(I) Benchmark Demonstration, Unlimited Potential

The "Senhai Pioneer" is not only a breeding vessel; it also serves as a benchmark for exploring innovative aquaculture models and revitalizing older vessels globally. The project has jointly applied for over 20 domestic and international patents and established relevant national standards, setting a precedent for standardized and regularized development of China's marine aquaculture industry. Preliminary assessments indicate that over 1,500 similar older vessels worldwide are suitable for conversion, creating an industry with a potential value of hundreds of billions of yuan, presenting unlimited development potential and business opportunities.

(II) Aquaculture Plan, Bright Future

Currently, the "Senhai Pioneer" plans to cultivate Atlantic salmon as its primary species, engaging in high-end cold-water fish farming. Farming will be conducted six months annually along the Chinese coast and the other six months in the high seas of the Far East, significantly advancing the localization of Atlantic salmon marine aquaculture. Upon delivery, the project is expected to produce 2,000 tons of high-end cold-water fish, including Atlantic salmon, annually, with a production value exceeding 120 million yuan. These products will be widely distributed in the Yangtze River Delta region, Hong Kong, as well as international markets such as Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, building a solid bridge for China's marine aquaculture industry to reach the global stage.

(III) Industry Transformation, Far-Reaching Significance

After eight years of in-depth research, development, demonstration, and onboard validation, the cruising sea-based aquaculture method has successfully achieved mobile transshipment in deep and deep seas, a major breakthrough for China's marine aquaculture industry. This project is an ideal vehicle for the transformation and upgrading of the marine aquaculture industry and for providing green and environmentally friendly aquatic products. It boasts considerable economic benefits and strong market competitiveness, and is a prime example of the new high-quality productivity of deep and deep sea aquaculture.

IV. Efficient Construction: Demonstrating China's Hard-Core Strength of Speed

The "Senhai Pioneer" was constructed efficiently, taking less than three months from commencement of construction to delivery. After modification, the vessel will be able to achieve year-round production through north-south cruising and compartmentalized aquaculture. It is expected to produce 2,280 to 2,800 tons of high-quality fish annually in the deep-sea areas from the Yellow Sea to the East China Sea. Its cabins, decks, and other spaces can be equipped with additional equipment, enriching production methods and improving economic efficiency, injecting strong impetus into the rapid development of China's marine aquaculture industry.

The delivery of the "Senhai Pioneer" marks a major evolution in the ecological transformation of the aquaculture industry. It frees marine aquaculture from dependence on weather and waves. Through low-cost modifications, it enables year-round production and mitigates natural disasters, truly realizing the industrialization of marine aquaculture. In its future ocean journeys, the "Senhai Pioneer" will brave the winds and waves, ushering in a new era of deep-sea aquaculture.