Chinese research vessel equipped for undersea geophysical surveys to arrive in Male' next month
Marine traffic data indicates that the Chinese research vessel "Shi Yan 6" is scheduled to dock in Male' on April 24, bringing the total number of Chinese survey ships operating in the Indian Ocean to three. While these vessels are equipped for advanced maritime research, their presence continues to draw scrutiny from India, which has previously raised security concerns alleging that such ships are utilized for gathering strategic intelligence.
The vessel, which departed from Guangzhou, China, on March 5, is expected to dock in Male' on April 24. | Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons
Reports indicate that the Chinese research vessel "Shi Yan 6" is once again navigating the Indian Ocean region and is scheduled to dock in the Maldivian capital, Male', next month.
The vessel previously conducted surveys in this region from November 2025 through February 2026. With the arrival of the "Shi Yan 6," the total number of Chinese research vessels currently operating in the Indian Ocean region has risen to three.
Damien Symon, a satellite imagery analyst, stated in a post on X on Friday that the Chinese research vessel "Shi Yan 6" is returning to the Indian Ocean, with its destination set as Male', Maldives. He further noted that the vessel, which previously conducted surveys in the region between November 2025 and February 2026, is currently the third Chinese research ship operating in the Indian Ocean.
The vessel, which departed from Guangzhou, China, on March 5th, is scheduled to arrive in Male' on April 24th, according to the "Marine Traffic" website. The vessel is currently located in the waters near Indonesia.
According to Simon’s post, the "Shi Yan 6" is a vessel equipped with the capabilities to conduct marine geophysical research and surveys. Upon entering the Indian Ocean, the vessel is expected to join the "Da Yang Hao" and "Da Yang Yi Hao," both of which are already operating within the region.
The "Da Yang Yi Hao," a vessel equipped for deep-sea and mineral exploration, has been stationed in the Indian Ocean since December 2023, while the "Da Yang Hao," which conducts geological and geophysical surveys, has been operating in the region since last February.
Reports indicate that the "Shi Yan 6" is expected to conduct research along strategically vital maritime routes used for China’s oil imports.
Chinese research vessels have been spotted in the Indian Ocean on previous occasions. While Beijing maintains that these voyages are conducted for civilian scientific research, Reuters reports that India has previously characterized such a vessel as a "spy ship." Concerns have been raised that these vessels could be utilized for maritime surveillance to gather sensitive intelligence for the Chinese military.
The Chinese vessel "Shi Yan 6" drew significant international attention in 2023 after conducting an 80-day scientific survey in the Indian Ocean. Despite formal objections from India at the time, the vessel docked at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka. Built in 2012, the vessel is part of China’s national survey program, the "Marine Research Vessel Fleet."
