A close-up of the vessel Zhe Dai Yu Yang 60001. [Photo/Jing Zhou]

The vessel Zhe Dai Yu Yang 60001 was delivered in Shanhaiguan district, Qinhuangdao city, Hebei province, on July 20. This marks launch of the world's first large-scale, ocean-going, and free-moving fish farming ship.

Developed and retrofitted by Senhai Muge (Zhejiang) Marine Technology Co Ltd, a company based in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, the ship measures 224.9 meters in length and features seven onboard farming tanks, five of which are open-sea tanks. These house a total water volume of 80,000 cubic meters — equivalent to 200 deep-sea cages — creating a mobile aquaculture environment in the open sea.

The ship is equipped with 32 intake valves on each side and four drainage points at the bottom, using wave power to cycle seawater continuously. This mimics wild conditions and reduces both costs and fish mortality. A smart onboard system monitors water temperature and oxygen levels, enabling precise feeding, automatic harvesting, and disaster avoidance. This allows the ship to "chase optimal temperatures" and avoid hazards.

Expected to produce 2,800 metric tons of fish annually with an output value exceeding 120 million yuan ($16.72 million), the vessel cuts the farming cycle in half compared to traditional methods.

Additionally, Senhai Muge plans to retrofit three more ships and build a full industrial value chain, eyeing a billion-yuan market supported by over 1,500 convertible vessels nationwide.