China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation
On May 1, 1993, the uncompleted former Soviet naval ship was towed to Dalian shipyard from Ukrainian Kherson shipyard. In addition to the hull and subsystems, China also purchased the design, which was immediately modified to meet the Chinese needs. Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Zhang Wende (张文德), the original chief designer of the second generation domestic Chinese replenishment ship was named as the chief designer and the program manager of this conversion project. The deputy general designer is Mr. Huang Wei (黄蔚), another general engineer of the 701st Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC). On May 8, 1996, it entered Chinese service in South Sea Fleet, where it has remained until today. The pennant number was originally Nanyun (南运)-953, but later changed to 885, with name "Qinghaihu" (青海湖), and this upgraded ship became the second generation Chinese replenishment ship, replacing the originally planned indigenous one.