China's largest salvage vessel visits Indonesia

JAKARTA - China's patrol and search-and- rescue vessel Haixun 01 arrived at Jakarta on Sunday, commencing its goodwill visit to Indonesia for the next four days.

While China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA)'s largest and most advanced vessel slowly entered the port of Tanjung Priok, Indonesia's largest sea port, it was warmly welcomed by Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Liu Jianchao and Indonesian Director- General for the Sea Transportation Bobby Mamahit, in addition to hundreds from local Chinese communities.

Patrol vessel Haixun 01 is berthed at a port in Shanghai, East China, April 15, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

Bobby welcomed the ship's arrival, saying that the visit will arouse exchanges of maritime knowledge and expertise between the maritime authorities of the two countries and further enhance maritime cooperation.

During the visit, the Chinese delegation on board Haixun 01 will visit Indonesia' Ministry of Transportation to exchange views with Indonesian counterparts and conduct joint exercises of maritime search-and-rescue.

Liu Jianchao said at the welcome ceremony that maritime cooperation is a major part of the bilateral strategic partnership between China and Indonesia.

"I hope the two sides could take this opportunity to further promote the bilateral maritime cooperation, enrich China-Indonesia strategic partnership and set a good example for boosting China- ASEAN maritime cooperation," Liu said.

Indonesia and China in 2012 signed a Memorandum of Understanding on maritime cooperation, and established a Maritime Cooperation Committee (MCC). The two countries have conducted a series of cooperation on navigation safety, maritime security, marine scientific research and environmental protection.

Indonesia is the second stop of the vessel's two-month global voyage, which started from east China's Shanghai port in mid-June. Haixun 01 is expected to return to Shanghai on August 9 after visiting Myanmar and Malaysia.

Managed by the China MSA, Haixun 01 was officially put into service in April this year and is the first Chinese patrol vessel to simultaneously incorporate marine inspection and rescue functions.

Launched in July 2012, the 128.6-meter-long and 16-meter-wide vessel with a tonnage of 5,418 tons has a maximum sailing distance of 18,520 km without refueling.

The vessel can accommodate 200 people rescued at sea and is equipped with medical treatment facilities.  It is also kitted out with medical equipment to offer basic treatment and surgery to injured people, and has a helipad complete with helicopter, and is able to tow and put out fires on ships.