CSBC Holds Naming and Launch Ceremony for "Taiwan Research Vessel Blue Ocean 101" and "Taiwan Research Vessel Blue Ocean 102"

Group photo at the launch and naming ceremony for the NAMR’s ocean research vessels－100-ton Taiwan Research Vessel Blue Ocean 101 and 300-ton Taiwan Research Vessel Blue Ocean 102.

CSBC Corporation, Taiwan (CSBC) held a launch and naming ceremony on the 11th at its Kaohsiung Shipyard for the 100-ton "Taiwan Research Vessel Blue Ocean 101" (澄波 NO.101) and the 300-ton "Taiwan Research Vessel Blue Ocean 102." (澄波 NO.102)

President Ching-Te Lai presided over the ceremony, which was witnessed by Secretary-General of the National Security Council Jau-Shieh (Joseph) Wu, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Bi-ling Kuan, CSBC Chairman Cheng-Hung Huang, and Kaohsiung Mayor Chi-Mai Chen. The 2 new vessels will strengthen Taiwan's capacity for marine baseline data surveys and research.

To address the insufficient capacity of domestic research vessels, the National Academy of Marine Research commissioned CSBC in 2024 to build the 2 specialized ocean research vessels for routine marine baseline data surveys conducted by relevant government agencies. Construction began in December 2024, with keel laying completed in December 2025. The launch and naming ceremony marks another major milestone, with delivery scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.

(From left) CSBC Chairman Cheng-Hung Huang; Secretary-General of the National Security Council Jau-Shieh (Joseph) Wu｜Kaohsiung Mayor Chi-Mai Chen｜President Ching-Te Lai｜OAC Minister Bi-ling Kuan｜Kaohsiung City Council Speaker Yu-Cheng Kang｜NAMR Director Chang-Ling Chen｜Chen Cheng-po Cultural Foundation Chairman Li-Pai Chen

The 100-ton "Taiwan Research Vessel Blue Ocean 101" measures 35 meters in length, 7.5 meters in beam, and 3.7 meters in depth, and will conduct sample collection for marine ecology and conservation surveys. The vessel features a steel hull and aluminum-alloy superstructure, along with a hybrid propulsion system. It will be powered by electric motors during low-speed operations and by diesel main engines when operating at full speed.

The 300-ton "Taiwan Research Vessel Blue Ocean 102" measures 40 meters in length, 9 meters in beam, and 3.7 meters in depth. It adopts the same hull material design as the 100-ton vessel and will conduct surveys in shallow waters and around offshore islands. Equipped with a dynamic positioning system, the vessel can integrate its rudder, propeller, and thrusters to enhance maneuverability and operational performance.

Both vessels are equipped with mission-specific survey instruments. Shallow Water Multibeam or Single-beam Sonar systems will collect data for shallow-seabed and seafloor topographic mapping; deck machinery will be used to deploy, tow, and recover small underwater equipment and sensors; and Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) profilers and Rosette Water Sampler will collect seawater and samples for storage. The vessels also feature laboratories and instrumentation and control rooms to support real-time offshore data analysis, sample preservation, and research operations.

Once commissioned, the new vessels are expected to improve the efficiency of Taiwan's marine research and its capacity to collect baseline data, further deepening exploration and understanding of the waters surrounding Taiwan.

Source: CSBC Corporation, Taiwan
Compilation & Ttranslation: EnergyOMNI