China building world's first floating “island” for deep-sea research

Shanghai has unveiled a unique scientific and technological project: the world’s first floating “island” platform designed for all-weather deep-sea research, according to Global Times.

The facility, named the Open Sea Floating Island, will become the largest research platform for marine equipment, resources, and scientific studies.

The complex consists of three main components: the primary platform, shipboard laboratories, and shore-based infrastructure. The main platform is built as a semi-submersible twin-hull vessel, enabling testing of equipment weighing hundreds of tons and conducting research at depths of up to 10,000 meters.

Construction is scheduled for completion by 2030. The platform will serve as a testing base for deep-sea extraction systems, marine equipment, and offshore oil and gas installations.

The project also aims to accelerate the exploitation of marine resources, study ecosystem dynamics, explore the origins of life, and improve the accuracy of typhoon forecasting. The initiative is led by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which has already established a dedicated institute for deep-sea science and engineering.