The Jiyuan launch and recovery system, independently developed by the Shanghai-based 704 Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corp, won the CIIF Award, a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding industrial innovation, at the 26th China International Industry Fair held in Shanghai.

The system supports at-sea transfer, deployment, and recovery of crewed and uncrewed submersibles, as well as scientific instruments.

Unlike systems designed specifically for either polar regions or ultra-deep waters, the Jiyuan system integrates capabilities for operations across both environments, addressing a key equipment challenge in deep-sea and polar research.

The 704 Research Institute began developing the system in 2016, which was field-tested during an Arctic expedition in 2025, making China the only country in the world capable of conducting continuous crewed deep dives in densely packed Arctic ice.

Compared with similar international equipment, the system performs better in load capacity, deployment and recovery efficiency, operating frequency, and versatility. It can operate reliably in Sea State 5 conditions, one level above the Sea State 4 limit of conventional equipment, and withstand extreme conditions up to Sea State 6.

Technologies used in the Jiyuan system are expected to be further applied in fields such as deep-sea archaeology, subsea cable laying, and deep-sea drilling.

Source: Shanghai Observer