Dayang Yihao [file photo]

During the mission, a series of oceanic surveys on polymetallic sulphide, bio-resources and the environment will be conducted, sources said.

The vessel will anchor in Cyprus, Nigeria, Brazil, South Africa and Mauritius for supplies before its scheduled return to Qingdao on May 2, 2013.

On Dec. 11, 2011, the Dayang Yihao returned to the harbor in Qingdao after completing a 369-day scientific research mission that covered more than 64,000 nautical miles.