MV Tian Kun Hao (天鯤) is a Chinese dredger that has been described variously as “Asia’s most powerful island maker” Launch of Beijing’s new dredger may spark concerns of renewed island building in South China Sea: Testing of Tian Kun Hao could upset Beijing’s neighbours, but Chinese analyst says vessel will not be used to boost China’s claims in disputed waters, Laura Zhou & Kristin Huang, South China Morning Post, 2017-11-03 and "magic island maker" due to its capability to dig 6,000 cubic metres per hour of sand/silt.China unveils massive island-building vessel, Space Daily, 2017-11-04 The ship was launched at Qidong in Jiangsu province in November 2017. The ship is apparently named after "a legendary enormous fish which can turn into a mythical bird".
Design Length = 140m Beam width = 28m Designer = Tianjin Dredging Co., a subsidiary of the China Communications Construction Company Dredging depth = 35m Discharge distance = 15 km
Purpose Various sources have speculated that the ship will be used for island building in the area of the South China Sea claimed by China and for possible use in areas of territorial disputes with countries including Japan, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
See also Territorial disputes in the South China Sea
References