The San Sha 2 Hao is 128 meters long and 20.4 meters wide, and its waterline is 5.7 meters. It has a total tonnage of 8,000 tons, a maximum speed of 22 knots, an endurance of 6,000 nautical miles and a capacity of 400 seats.

The new vessel was built by Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Ltd for Sansha city and was officially delivered for use after a signing ceremony in Hainan's Wenchang city on July 31.

It combines the functions of transportation and replenishment, administrative jurisdiction, emergency rescue command, emergency medical assistance and scientific investigation of islands and reefs, according to a statement released by GSI on Aug 1.

"San Sha 2 Hao will further enhance transportation capacity between islands and reefs in Sansha, the country's southernmost and largest city in the South China Sea, and improve maritime emergency rescue and medical rescue capacities when it is put into operation," the statement said.

"The high-standard Ropax vessel will play an important role in defending territorial waters at the southern gate of the country," the statement said.