16-07-2025
Japan to build new survey ship to hunt for deep-sea rare earths
Japan's current research mother ship, the Yokosuka, is aging and can carry only one probe. (Photo by Dai Kuwamura)
KEITO NAKAOKA
TOKYO -- Japan plans to build a new research support ship capable of carrying multiple deep-sea probe vehicles to look for rare earths and other marine resources.
The new mother ship is expected to support autonomous and remotely operated underwater vehicles, as well as crewed submersible research vessels like the Shinkai 6500. Carrying multiple probes will shorten the number of days required for voyages.
