SHENZHEN - China has started building the country's first hybrid-powered vessel for coordinating a response to maritime environment emergencies, according to Shenzhen Maritime Safety Administration.

The vessel, which will be 78 meters long and 12.8 meters wide, is designed to safely sail in sea areas affected by hazardous gas and perform evacuation and rescue operations, said the administration.

Powered by diesel and lithium batteries, the vessel has a designed speed of no less than 18 knots and an endurance of 1,000 nautical miles. It can carry helicopters and is equipped with advanced technologies such as explosion-proof radar and a dynamic positioning system.

The vessel, funded by the Shenzhen municipal government, began building Sunday. It is being built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd. and is expected to be delivered in October 2020.