Published : 2025-05-17

China's first polar scientific research vessel, "Ji Di" (極地號), safely returned to Qingdao, Shandong Province on May 17, 1987, after successfully completing its mission.

With members of China's 3rd Antarctic scientific expedition team onboard, the Ji Di research vessel set sail from Qingdao on October 31, 1986, undertaking a 199-day polar exploration with a total voyage of 30,921 nautical miles.

It was also China's first global voyage in maritime history, crossing the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

The entire scientific expedition team of Ji Di was composed of 126 members, including two female team members.

It was reported that the main mission of this Antarctic expedition was to expand and improve the Great Wall Station, while also conducting multidisciplinary comprehensive scientific research.

The prototype of Ji Di was a cargo ship with 1A ice-breaking capability built by Rauma Shipyard in Finland in 1971.

China purchased it in 1985 and subsequently invested 7.5 million RMB to convert it into an Antarctic scientific research transport vessel.

The refurbished research vessel was equipped with advanced satellite navigation and communication equipment, as well as a helicopter platform and hangar.

Since its commissioning, Ji Di had completed a total of six Antarctic missions and was officially retired in 1994.