China operates its first 3,000-metre-deep engineering ship

BEIJING: China's first multi-functional offshore engineering ship that can operate 3,000 meters under water has been operationalised.

The "Offshore Oil 286" ship can undertake hoisting and pipe-laying missions and support underwater robot and diving missions. It can also carry out underwater equipment maintenance work, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Built with an investment of more than one billion yuan ($ 163 million), the ships belongs to the Offshore Oil Engineering Co. Ltd which is an affiliate of China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

The 141 meters long and 29 metres wide vessel, which was put under operation yesterday, is China's largest offshore oil and gas producer.

It has a maximum loading capacity of 11,228 tons and can accommodate upto 150 crew members.

It is equipped with a 400-ton crane to fulfill installing missions under the water, the report said.