China launches record-setting 58,000-tonne polar-ready cargo ship

China has launched the Fan Zhou 8, a new flat-top cargo ship that is the largest of its kind, with a capacity of 58,000 tonnes. The vessel completed five days of successful trials and is now declared seaworthy. The Fan Zhou 8 measures 256 meters long and 51 meters wide. It can navigate in small drifting ice and meets the Polar Code requirements. The ship has a range of 16,000 nautical miles and a maximum speed of over 15 knots. The ship's deck is designed for transporting various cargo, including equipment for offshore oilfields and renewable energy. Its size has been compared to China's Fujian aircraft carrier, highlighting its significant capacity.