China's 'Shi Yan 6' heading to Sri Lanka, pending clearance

COLOMBO (News 1st); International maritime tracking data showed that the  Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi yan 6, which has also attracted India's attention, will reach the port of Colombo on the 29th of September.

However, Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs said that diplomatic level clearance was not given for this vessel to enter Sri Lanka. 

The Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi yan 6 was monitored moving along the Strait of Malacca towards Sri Lanka.

It is approximately 1,000 nautical miles away from the island, and is traveling at a speed of 12 - 13  knots. 

Although the vessel left China on the 11th of September, international maritime tracking platforms were not updated to claim that Shi Yan 6 was heading to Sri Lanka.

At the time, the data showed the Shi Yan 6 heading to another Chinese port, however, later it was observed that the vessel was in fact heading in the opposite direction towards one of the main shipping lines leading to Sri Lanka.

Marine traffic platforms have now confirmed that the destination of the Shi Yan 6 is the Port of Colombo.

Earlier, the Sri Lanka Navy said that the Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi yan 6 would reach the Sea of Sri Lanka by the 25th of October 2023. 

It added that the Defence Ministry had also given its clearance for the vessel to dock in Colombo. 

The Sri Lanka Navy said that the Chinese vessel will be involved in research operations in the Sea of Sri Lanka for a period of 17 days, with the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, also known as NARA.

When contacted by News 1st, the Sri Lanka Navy said that it was not informed about any change in the vessel's date of arrival.

On the 29th of August, Indian media reported that a request was made for the Chinese geophysical scientific research vessel Shi yan 6 to delay its visit until Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe concludes his visit to China in October of 2023.

The third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) will be held in Beijing in October and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to attend in-person.

Although, maritime tracking data claims the Shi Yan 6 will dock in Colombo on the 29th of September, based on its current speed the vessel will most likely reach the Sea of Sri Lanka at around 10:30 AM on the 23rd of September, some six days ahead of schedule.

Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Shi Yan 6 has yet to obtain diplomatic level clearance to enter the Sea of Sri Lanka.

It added that, as the Shi Yan 6 is considered a research and survey vessel, the days in which the research will be conducted, and the type of research must be informed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It added that the dates, and areas of research, have not been confirmed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it cannot announce a definite date on which the Shi Yan 6 will reach Sri Lanka, as it has not completed the necessary requirements to obtain clearances.