The Antarctic krill fishing and processing vessel Yongli completes its maiden sea trial off Shipu Port. [Photo/Tide News]

Ningbo has launched Zhejiang's first Antarctic krill fishing and processing vessel, Yongli, marking a major milestone in China's deep-sea fisheries and high-end shipbuilding.

Built by Ningbo Ouya Blue-waters Fishery Co in Xiangshan, the 140-meter ship recently completed a two-day sea trial off Shipu Port. With a beam of 24 meters, a draft of 8.7 meters, and a deadweight of 15,800 metric tons, the vessel is designed for long-range polar operations.

Captain Liu Wenhua said the trial tested more than 10 key functions, including speed, maneuverability, anchoring, directional stability, and emergency stopping. All systems performed smoothly, meeting or exceeding design expectations.

The China Classification Society's Zhejiang branch confirmed the ship's propulsion, navigation, safety, and onboard equipment all operated reliably, laying a solid foundation for polar deployment.

Yongli is among China's first fully domestically developed Antarctic krill vessels. It features a continuous pump harvesting system and an automated processing line, allowing krill to be processed within just hours of capture — essential for preserving quality in sub-zero waters. The vessel can produce krill oil, powder, frozen krill, and peeled shrimp, serving both domestic and international markets.

After completing further fishing and processing trials, Yongli is expected to begin operations in Antarctic waters, opening up new opportunities for China's polar fisheries.