Xiangyanghong 10, a national-level ocean comprehensive scientific research vessel owned by the Second Institute of Oceanography, finished its 54th research mission and returned to Zhoushan Port on Dec 29. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Xiangyanghong 10, a national-level ocean research vessel, returned to Zhoushan Port on Dec 29 after completing its 54th research mission.

The vessel, which belongs to the Second Institute of Oceanography, was approved for construction by the State Oceanic Administration of China in 2011 and was completed in January 2014.

It was designated as a member of the China Marine Research Vessels, a national-level research team, in March 2014.

The vessel's 54th mission was approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources of China and launched on March 18, 2019, when it set sail from Zhoushan Port to the Pacific Ocean.

The mission required the vessel to explore two polymetallic nodule exploration areas owned by China Minmetals Corporation and China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association respectively.

During the mission, experts from China Minmetals Corporation taught the company's three foreign students from Malaysia, Burma and Somalia how to explore polymetallic nodule resources at sea.

This is the first time that the company has conducted student training at sea.

Experts said that the completion of the mission has brought China closer to fulfilling its obligations under an exploration contract signed with the International Seabed Authority.