The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is expected to exploit the major logistics advantage presented by the 98,000 ton MV Guang Hua Kou, the second largest heavy lift semi-submersible ship in the world.

Guang Hua Kou will be on call as part of PLAN's fleet of military heavy support ships that will make possible expanded PLAN naval and amphibious assault operations around the world.

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Operated by state-owned shipping line COSCO Heavy Transport (COSCOL),the Guang Hua Kou measures 211 meters by 68 meters and can submerge its deck 16 meters underwater to more easily load outsized or extremely heavy cargo such as PLAN destroyers and hovercraft.

The ship can also be used to help build offshore military bases for global military campaigns by the People's Liberation Army. Its massive deck can also be loaded with military equipment such as tanks, artillery and helicopters, among others.

Apart from its military use, the Guang Hua Kou can also be used for humanitarian missions, deep sea drilling and mining.

A semi-submerging ship is more commonly known as a "flo/flo" for float-on/float-off.

COSCOL says its purpose built and versatile flo/flo fleet includes deadweight capacities ranging from 20,000 tons (K-Class) to 98,000 tons (Guang Hua Kou) that give it the capability to safely handle all dry transportation needs.

A flo/flo's ballast tanks are flooded to lower the well deck below the water's surface to permit the loading of massive cargo such as ships, oil platforms and hovercraft. The tanks are then pumped out, and the well deck rises to shoulder the load.

The world's largest flo/flo is the MV Blue Marlin from Dockwise Shipping of The Netherlands. Blue Marlin and her sister ship, MV Black Marlin, comprise the Marlin-class of heavy lift ship designed to move very large loads that can't be handled by normal ships.

TagsPeople's Liberation Army Navy, MV Guang Hua Kou, semi-submersible ship, COSCO Heavy Transport