China building mobile landing platform, new ro-ro PLA support ship

[Zarvan]

Airbus DS satellite imagery published by Google Earth dated 15 April shows a semi-submersible ship nearing completion at the Wenchong shipyard in Guangzhou, China. (Google Earth/Airbus DS CNES 2015)
The appearance online in late May of photographs of a semi-submersible ship, painted in a naval grey colour scheme, nearing completion at the Wenchong shipyard in Guangzhou has prompted speculation that China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is about to acquire a mobile landing platform (MLP).

A semi-submersible ship nearing completion at the Wenchong shipyard in Guangzhou. The ship is around 180 m in length, with a beam of around 33 m and an estimated displacement of 5,000 tonnes. (via Sina.com)

The ship is around 180 m in length, with a beam of around 33 m and an estimated displacement of 5,000 tonnes. As such, it is much smaller than the US Military Sealift Command's Montford Point class of MLPs, which are 240 m long with a beam of 50 m.

Other recent photographs show a logistics support ship under construction for the PLA. This is the second vessel with a roll-on, roll-off (ro-ro) design, bow and stern ramps, and an estimated full load displacement of around 3,500 tonnes.

The first of these emerged in late 2013, and it is likely the second is being built at the same shipyard: Dalian Songliao.

Recent photographs published online show a logistics support ship under construction for the PLA. (via Sina.com)

Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact




To read the full article, Client Login
(180 of 431 words)
China building mobile landing platform, new ro-ro PLA support ship - IHS Jane's 360