BEIJING -- China started building a new advanced oceanic research vessel Wednesday in the southern city of Guangzhou, according to the State Oceanic Administration (SOA).

The vessel, Dayang Erhao (Ocean No 2), will mainly conduct oceanic resource survey missions as well as deep-sea scientific research, said Sun Shuxian, deputy chief of the SOA.

The ship, designed with a length of 98 meters and width of 17 meters, will be able to conduct worldwide navigation with an endurance of more than 14,000 nautical miles, said the SOA.

Dayang Erhao is expected to be put into service in March 2019, said the SOA.