China designs first tourist submersible capable of 1,000-meter ocean dives

Chinese scientists have designed the country's first tourist submersible capable of venturing as deep as 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) below the ocean surface, South China Morning Post reported on Monday. China Ship Scientific Research Center in Wuxi, a city west of Shanghai, plans to build a prototype before the end of this year and start commercial operation by 2030, allowing as many as four passengers per trip.

Key components developed

According to the center's director Ye Cong, key components including the submersible's panoramic viewport—one of the hardest parts to design on a deep-sea submersible—have already been developed. The viewport must withstand immense water pressure while providing a clear, safe viewing experience for passengers.

Deepening tourism capabilities

China currently operates dozens of tourism submersibles for depths of up to about 20 meters, suitable for tours in reservoirs, lakes, and coastal waters. Vehicles designed for greater depths must withstand significantly higher external water pressure, making the 1,000-meter design a substantial technological leap for the country's marine tourism industry.

Scientific expertise

The research center, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp., has also developed the advanced Jiaolong and Deep Sea Warrior deep-sea submersibles for scientific exploration. The new tourist submersible leverages expertise gained from these research vessels to create a commercial product that could open deep-sea tourism to the public.