Largest semi-submersible smart ocean farming platform to launch in Sanya

en.hainan.gov.cn

Updated: 2026-05-15

China's largest semi-submersible smart ocean farming platform, Xinhuan-1, has wrapped up its main construction and is now in the final phase of equipment testing.

It's set to launch in June in the waters off the coastal city of Sanya, located in China's southernmost Hainan province.

The giant platform is expected to play a key role in advancing Sanya's marine fisheries toward smarter, more eco-friendly and integrated operations.

The Xinhuan-1 stands out as the biggest of its kind nationwide — stretching 135 meters long, 30 m wide and 20.5 m high, with a farming capacity of 64,000 cubic meters.

The platform is designed with distinct functional areas, featuring multiple standardized farming units and specialized breeding pools.

Once up and running, it's projected to produce up to 1 million kilograms of premium marine fish annually, significantly boosting the supply of high-end seafood.

Unlike traditional offshore farming, the Xinhuan-1 is packed with cutting-edge technology and distinctive features. It uses a natural seawater circulation system to mimic the ocean's natural environment, ensuring top-flight quality of its aquaculture products.

The platform is equipped with smart management and water quality monitoring systems — allowing for digital oversight of the entire farming process, which significantly reduces labor costs and farming risks.

Its robust design ensures it can withstand extreme weather, including typhoons, making it one of the most advanced and stable platforms in the country.

What's particularly notable is Xinhuan-1's innovative blend of fisheries and cultural tourism. The platform includes living and workspaces, leisure and sightseeing areas and marine science education facilities.

It separates farming zones from tourist areas — offering activities like sea tours, fishing experiences and marine education, which help extend the marine economy's value chain and enrich Sanya's coastal tourism offerings.

In recent years, Sanya has been steadily refining its marine fisheries industry, focusing on deep-sea smart aquaculture and ocean ranch developments to drive industry transformation forward.

With the Xinhuan-1 coming online, Sanya's deep-sea aquaculture strategy will be further strengthened, fostering growth in related sectors like aquatic breeding and leisure tourism. It will also inject new energy into the high-quality development of Hainan Free Trade Port marine economy and tropical agriculture.