On Nov 20, the cargo vessel Yong Sheng set sail from Zhangjiagang Port, Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, carrying supplies for the Chinese Antarctic expedition team. This marks the second consecutive year Zhangjiagang Port has supported Antarctic scientific research.

Yong Sheng, a 20,000-metric-ton ice-class multipurpose vessel, is primarily responsible for transporting materials needed for China's Qinling Station in Antarctica. The total volume of the cargo exceeds 15,000 cubic meters.

The cargo vessel Yong Sheng docks at Zhangjiagang Port and is awaiting departure. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]

China's 41st Antarctic expedition team embarked on their mission earlier this month to carry out significant scientific research tasks. The expedition is supported by three ships: the icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2, which set sail from Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and the cargo vessel Yong Sheng.

Yong Sheng is expected to rendezvous with Xuelong and Xuelong 2 in approximately 25 days. Once the three ships meet, they are set to spend about one week traveling to their final destination in Antarctica. The expedition intends to last over seven months, with the team expected to return in May 2025.

Zhangjiagang Port is a crucial, comprehensive, multifunctional, and international port in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, thanks to its unique geographical location and excellent logistics capabilities.