World Navies Today: Chinese Fleet Support & General Logistics Auxiliaries

This list includes all known fleet support and general logistics auxiliaries over 500 tons displacement. Non-self-propelled craft and non-seagoing vessels are not included.

Ships not yet commissioned, or in long-term overhaul/conversion, are listed in italics. Navigation and surface-search radars are not listed. All classifications are purely unofficial and are based on an attempt to use standard classifications throughout all navies; they may or may not correspond to "official" designations.

Note: It remains very difficult to obtain accurate, up-to-date information regarding Chinese naval forces. These is major conflict between published references, especially with regard to class names and numbers. It is also difficult to tell exactly how many vessels are active and how many are in reserve, since many "active" vessels only go to sea for a few days each year. This list represents the best data available from a variety of sources, however, it probably is not complete nor 100% accurate, due to inadequacies of source material.

Fleets: The following abbreviations are used to indicate fleet assignments:
YEL: Yellow Sea. Officially North Sea Fleet.
ECS: East China Sea. Officially East Sea Fleet.
SCS: South China Sea. Officially South Sea Fleet.

Major Fleet Support Auxiliaries
Submarine Support Ships
Tugs
Logistics Ships

Concept/Program: A multirole support ship, essentially a scaled-down version of the Royal Navy's Argus. Her roles are officially stated to include cadet training ship, helicopter training ship, hospital ship, disaster relief ship, and container/logistics ship. Various mission-specific modules can be carried on the flight deck, including troop/cadet berthing modules, and helicopter support modules. Clearly she is meant as the first step towards an aircraft carrier/helicopter carrier capability.

Builders: Quixin SY, Shanghai.

Number	Name	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
82	Shichang	1996

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Concept/Program: A modified merchant tanker design; laid down for the Soviet Navy as a replenishment oiler but sold to China prior to completion. A near-sister was sold to India. Carries both fuel and solid stores.

Builders: Kherson SY, Kherson, Russia; outfitting by Dalian SY.

Number	Name	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
953	Nancang	1996	YEL

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Concept/Program: Chinese-design fleet oilers; no solid stores capability. One sister sold to Pakistan, and one placed in merchant service.

Builders: Dalian SY.

Number	Name	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
575	Taikang
615	Fencang

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Concept/Program: A modified version of the 'Dajiang' class submarines tenders, employed as fleet supply ships.

Builders: Hudong SY, Shanghai.

Number	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
951	1992
952	1992

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Concept/Program: Romanian-built as a cargo ship, acquired by China early 1970's and converted to a repair ship.

Builders: Galati SY, Romania.

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Concept/Program: Also has been identified as an ELINT ship, but has no apparent equipment for this role.

Builders: Wuhu SY

Number	Name	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
970	Shiyan	1999

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Concept/Program: A purpose-built training ship. Has made extensive long distance cruises.

Builders: Qiuxin SY, Shanghai.

Number	Name	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
81	Zhenghe	1987

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Concept/Program: Large multirole submarine support ships; can serve both as alongside tenders and salvage/rescue ships. Can carry two salvage/rescue submersibles, handled by a large crane on the foredeck. This design is also used for several other auxiliaries.

Builders: Hudong SY, Shanghai.

Number	Name	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
121	Changxingdao	1976
302	Chongmingdao
506	Yongxingdao		SCS	Yulin

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Concept/Program: A smaller submarine tender, primarily intended to serve as an in-port resupply and support ship.

Builders: Hudong SY, Shanghai.

Number	Name	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
920		1965	ECS

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Concept/Program: Tug-type salvage/rescue ship. A reported second unit of the class either never existed or has been scrapped.

Builders: Hudong SY, Shanghai.

Number	Name	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
512		1969	ECS

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Concept/Program: Smaller tug-type vessels intended for salvage and towing duties, primarily in support of submarines. Could also operate as general salvage ships.

Builders: Guangzhou SY except 911 by Wuhu SY.

Number	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
503	1975
122	1986
911	1986
428	1997?

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Concept/Program: Small general-purpose support craft for submarines. Have also been used as electronic surveillance ships.

Number	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
502		SCS
504		SCS

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Concept/Program: Large ocean tug; probably successor to 'Tuzhong' class.

Builders: Zhonghua SY, Shanghai.

Number	Name	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
	Daozha	1993

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Concept/Program: Large, well-equipped ocean salvage tugs.

Builders: Zhonghua SY, Shanghia; built late 1970's.

Number	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
T154
T710
T830
T890

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Concept/Program: Chinese design. Equipped for heavy towing and firefighting.

Builders: Wuhu SY; built late 1970's.

Number	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
837
717

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Concept/Program: Soviet-design tugs, built in China in the early 1960's. Units in service are 149, 156, 166, 167, 680, 683, 684, 802, 809, 811, 813, 814, 817, 822, 824, 827.

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Concept/Program: Chinese-design tugs. Units in service are 147, 155, 622, 711, 717, 837, 842, 843.

Builders: Wuhu SY; built 1980's.

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Concept/Program: Soviet-design tugs; one transferred from the USSR and others built in China, 1964-65. Units in service are 302, 403, 120, and one unknown.

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Concept/Program: Small troopships; probably not intended for amphibious assault, but could be employed in that role. Units in service are 830, 831, 832, 835. Assigned to the South China Sea fleet.

Builders: Guangzhou SY; built 1980's.

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Concept/Program: Variant of the 'Qiongsha' class troop transports.

Builders: Guangzhou SY; built 1980's.

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Concept/Program: Romanian-built small freighters, acquired 1970's. Numbered 318, 600.

Builders: Galati SY, Romania.

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Concept/Program: Modified version of the 'Yantai' class landing ships, apparently employed for coastal transport/logistics. Some sources indicate they are fleet supply ships.

Builders: Shanghai.

Number	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
800	1992
801	1992

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Concept/Program: Small freighters used to support offshore islands/ military garrisons. Built 1960's/70's; sisters are in commercial service. Units in service are 433, 443, 528, 755, 756, 771, 836.

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Concept/Program: At least six are believed to be in service: 764, 765, 873, 874, 233, 234.

Builders: Zhonghua SY, Shanghai; built late 1970's

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Concept/Program: Buoy tender version of 'Youdian' class cable ship. At least three are believed to be in service: 263, 982, 983.

Builders: Zhonghua SY, Shanghai.

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Concept/Program: Smaller version of 'Youdian' class. At least three (G2693, N2303, N2404) and possibly more are in service.

Builders: Zhonghua SY, Shanghai; built 1982+.

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Concept/Program: Small degaussing ships, possibly based on an enlarged T-43 class minesweeper design.

Name	Year	FLT	Homeport	Notes
Shuguang 203
Haizu 745
Haizu 746
Dongqin 863

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Most are coastal oil tankers (AOTL), but some are coastal water tankers (AWL). Few are outfitted for underway replenishement. In general these craft carry a few 14.5 mm or 25 mm guns for self-defense.

Class Name	Type	Number	Displacement	Cargo	Builders
'Shengli'	AOTL	2	4,940 tons FL	3,002 tons	Hudong SY, Shanghai
'Jinyou'	AOTL	3	4,800 tons FL	25,000 barrels	Kanashashi SY, Japan
'Fulin'/'Mettawee'	AOTL	19+	2,200 tons FL	?	Hudong SY, Shanghai
'Fuzhou'	AWL	9+	1,200 tons FL	600 tons	Hudong SY, Shanghai
'Fuzhou'	AOTL	23+	1,200 tons FL	600 tons	Hudong SY, Shanghai
'Leizhou'	AOTL	5	900 tons FL	?	?
'Leizhou'	AWL	4	900 tons FL	?	?

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