Dayang Yihao, berthing at its homeport of Qingdao Port in East China’s Shandong province, is ready to set sail on a 380-day global exploration on March 26, 2012. By zhu xun/China Daily

The scientific research ship Dayang Yihao embarked on a new round-the-world marine voyage for oceanic resources on March 26 from Qingdao Port.

A 380-day scientific research mission will take the ship across the Indian and Atlantic oceans, explore metallic sulphides resources, biological resources and the marine environment.

"Research on deep-sea mineral resources is of vital significance for the national efforts to catch up with developed countries,", said Li Bo, deputy director of the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research & Development Association (COMRA)under the auspices of the State Oceanic Administration.

The ship will carry on an 18-day sea trial in South China Sea from March 26 to April 12 to test its performance along with the new scientific instruments and train the crew.

"Scientists on board must test 43 scientific instruments, including the Dynamic Positioning System, Deep-Sea Camera System and ROV," said Wang Chunsheng, chief scientist on the ship,

"Sea trial is an important precondition for a successful global expedition and the crew will cooperate to fulfill the task."

Preparations began in October 2011. The voyage recruited more than 500 researchers from 40 institutes.

The North China Sea Branch of the State Oceanic Administration has completed the navigational plan, renewed 124 nautical books and reference materials and made 12 emergency plans covering anti-piracy, weather service, anti-typhoon and much more.

"The ship will sail across different sea waters under complex conditions, such as the Mediterranean Sea, Somali waters and Suez Canal. So 15 of our crews participated in training in light weapons in case of emergency," said Wang.

Dayang Yihao is scheduled to return to its homeport on May 2, 2013.

By Xie Chuanjiao and Zhu Xun (chinadaily.com.cn)

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Tom McGregor