The Chinese float-on/float-off ship Donghai Island is the first unit of a class of very little known naval auxiliary ship currently in service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).[1] The exact type remains unknown, and only a single unit of this class have been confirmed in active service as of 2020s, with pennant number 868.[1] The float-on/float-off capability of the Donghai class is achieved via its semi-submersible hull design.[1] This ship has received NATO reporting name Modified Hansa Sonderberg class,[2][3][4] because it is derived from the Hans Sonderberg-class anchor handling tug supply vessel designed specifically for heavy-lifting and transporting large and heavy equipment such as oil rigs, and Donghai Island performs similar functions.
| History | |
|---|---|
 PRC | |
| Name | Donghai Island |
| Namesake | Donghai Island |
| Completed | 2015 |
| Commissioned | July 10, 2015 |
| In service | July 10, 2015 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Modified Hansa Sonderberg-class float-on/float-off semi-submersible ship |
| Displacement | 23,000 long tons (23,000 t) |
| Length | 32.4 m (106 ft 4 in) |
| Beam | 175.5 m (575 ft 9 in) |
| Electronic warfare & decoys | None |
| Class | Pennant # | Commissioned | Status | Fleet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donghai Island | 868 | July 10, 2015 | Active | South Sea Fleet |