On Friday, China introduced a ship considered to be Asia’s largest dredging vessel, capable of digging 6,000 cubic meters an hour — which is the equivalent of three standard-sized swimming pools.

Named the Tian Kun Hao but dubbed the “magic island maker,” the ship is a larger version of a type China used previously to dredge sand, coral and mud to create artificial islands able to host military installations.

The boat is expected to be operational in June 2018 after completing a final round of tests.

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