Xuelong 2 to berth in Shenzhen and welcome visitors

China's first domestically-built polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, will berth in Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Homeport from Oct 13 to 15 and open to the public for one and a half days, bjnews.com reported.

A total of 1,200 free visiting quotas will be distributed, and those expecting a glance at the charm of Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, should book a visit through www.cimee.com.cn, the official website of China Marine Economy Expo, starting from 10:00 am on Oct 8.

The opening hours for the visit include the whole day of Oct 14 and the morning of Oct 15, according to the report. Xuelong 2 will set off on its maiden voyage to the Antarctic Pole in the afternoon, marking a new breakthrough in China's supply and support of scientific research in the polar region.

With a navigational speed of 2 to 3 knots through 1.5 meters of thick ice and 0.2 meters of thick snow, Xuelong 2 is the first two-way polar icebreaker in the world capable of ice breaking at both the bow and the stern, and can rotate 360 degrees without moving from the spot.

Equipped with world-class ocean surveying and monitoring apparatus, the icebreaker enables experts to carry out research into polar seas' physical oceanography, biodiversity, and atmospheric and environmental conditions, as well as conduct fishery resource surveys.

In cooperation with Xuelong, it will also enhance the efficiency of China's polar scientific research, the report said.