TIANJIN -- A Chinese-built unofficial hospital ship, the newest and largest of its kind in the world, has set sail from a port in northern China's Tianjin municipality, the ship manufacturer said.
Powered by a full-circle-swinging electric propulsion system, the 174.1-meter-long and 28.6-meter-wide hospital ship was built for the United States by Tianjin Xingang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation.
It is able to sail around the world and provide free medical service and professional training to poor areas.
The hospital is the key functional area of the 12-deck ship, mainly composed of a laboratory, general clinic, ophthalmology clinic and dental clinic. There are cabins and family suites as well as leisure areas such as restaurants, cafes and shops on the other decks.