China Plans To Build First Nuclear-Powered Surface Vessel - Reports

China plans to build its first-ever nuclear-powered surface vessel, which will be similar to Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker Taymyr, local media reported, citing bidding documents of state-owned energy corporation China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN)

BEIJING (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st March, 2019) China plans to build its first-ever nuclear-powered surface vessel, which will be similar to Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker Taymyr, local media reported, citing bidding documents of state-owned energy corporation China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN).

The South China Morning Post newspaper reported on Wednesday that the CGN had invited bids for the contract to construct an "experimental ship platform" that would be 152-meter (498-feet) long, 30-meter wide and 18-meter deep, with its displacement set to amount to 30,000 tonnes.

The vessel will be fitted with two 25-megawatt water reactors, which will enable it to accelerate up to 11.5 knots (13.23 miles per hour).

While the intended use of the ship was not specified in the bidding documents, experts reportedly believe that this could be an icebreaker, since the size is similar to that of Taymyr.