By Chen Jiayi

On 21st November, the only full-sea-depth optical cable winch system in the world ‘Haiwei GD11000’ returned to its production, research and development location —— Nantong Liwei Machinery Co., Ltd., after completed the first deep sea research task in the South China Sea following ‘Hai Yang Di Zhi 2’ of Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey.

In the past, China’s full-sea-depth optical cable winch system and full-sea-depth trace metal CTD winch system were all imported from European and American countries such as the U.S. and Denmark. In 2023, Nantong Liwei Machinery Co., Ltd. took on the important task of carrying out the domestic and independent research and development of the full-sea-depth scientific exploration winch system. It formed a research ‘consortium’ with 9 organizations including Polar Research Institute of China, Dalian Maritime University and Hengtong Group, to tackle various technological difficulties together.

In June, ‘Haiwei GD11000’ was launched, achieving 100% localization, and became the first full-sea-depth optical cable winch system in China.