China on Thursday launched the country's first ship specifically designed for carrying deep submersibles, according to Shanghai Ocean University.

The ship, Zhang Jian, named after the founder of the university, is 97 meters long and 17.8 meters wide. It is designed to carry 60 people and has a 15,000-nautical mile range, according to a report on the university's website.

Its first scientific expedition is planned for August in the New Britain Trench off Papua New Guinea.