The painted hull section of a research vessel is completed at Tenglong Shipyard in Taizhou. [Photo/Tide News]

In Songmen town, Wenling, a county-level city in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, a deep-sea scientific research vessel is taking shape at the Tenglong Shipyard — an 80-meter-long ship backed by 37 local fishermen.

Upon completion, the vessel will have unrestricted access to global waters catering to the increasing demand for marine research infrastructure. The project is led by Cai Yunjie, a 50-year-old fisherman from Shitang town. 

Inspired by a conversation with a marine engineer from Fujian in 2024, Cai learned of a major gap in China's marine science education where many graduates lack hands-on research vessel experience. He saw both a national need and a business opportunity.

After conducting extensive field visits across China, Cai identified a shortage of nearly 50 research vessels in the market. He persuaded fellow fishermen, some still active at sea and others now managing shipping companies, to invest in the venture. Through a collaborative share model, they raised 130 million yuan ($18 million), with contributions varying from several thousand to hundreds of thousands.

Construction began on March 17, with the vessel designed to have a displacement of 3,500 metric tons and a range of 10,000 nautical miles. Equipped with modern tools like single-beam echo sounders and integrated aerial and submersible survey systems, it will support resource mapping, seabed studies, and biological sampling.

Scheduled for sea trials early next year, the ship will be available for lease, with full crew and research support services. This initiative signifies a sustainable approach for private-sector involvement in scientific exploration.