China intends to use its experience in scientific deep-sea research to develop underwater tourism // Photo: chinaships.com
The apparatus will be capable of diving to a depth of 1,000 meters. The development of the vessel, shaped like a submarine, has been underway for four years.
It is expected by 2030
The prototype is expected to be built by the end of 2026. Once the model is ready, sea trials are expected to be conducted to evaluate performance and refine the design if necessary. The plan is to have the vehicle in service by 2030.
The underwater vessel will be able to accommodate one person in charge of the controls and three tourist passengers. A panoramic porthole has already been developed to view the vastness of the ocean, capable of withstanding extreme pressure in deep waters.
Deep-sea tourism could become a new trend
Ye Kong, director of the Shipbuilding Research Center, told China Daily that the project has attracted the interest of tourism-related departments and travel agencies. They intend to cooperate with the research center, which could indicate a potential mass demand for deep-sea travel.
China has a lot of experience in deep-sea exploration. The Middle Kingdom has three manned submersibles that have made more than 300 dives around the world on scientific missions in 2025. This number exceeds half of all manned deep-sea expeditions in the world.
