Chinese mystery ship with triple-island design sets sail

A video has surfaced on Chinese social media showing the maiden voyage of the mysterious ship, which structurally resembles an aircraft carrier. This ship is distinguished by its three superstructures, which is unusual for this type of vessel. Typically, aircraft carriers have one or two "islands."

The ship's name and specifications remain unknown, and its functionality and purpose are subject to speculation. The ship lacks markings indicating affiliation with the Chinese Navy, raising questions about its potential civilian or research use.

The ship displays the CSSC emblem, suggesting it may be a Chinese shipbuilding corporation research project. An interesting design feature is the placement of the funnels on the third "island" at the stern. The ship also features a division between a flight deck and a hangar deck, typical of aircraft carriers.

The ship was launched in September or October 2024, as previously observed in satellite images. Defense Express does not rule out that the mysterious vessel recently observed is related to an order placed by the Chinese government in 2022.

At that time, the authorities ordered the design of a universal amphibious assault ship with a flight deck and dock for landing craft. The requirements include a length of 200 metres, a deck width of 25 metres, a displacement of 15,000 tonnes, a range of 9,260 kilometres, and autonomy for 40 days. However, it cannot be stated with complete certainty that the ship is the result of work related to this order.

Defense Express notes that challenges in identifying the Chinese unit are not unprecedented. Past instances highlight significant gaps in information about China's defence and technological capabilities.