Darong-class transport explained

Darong class transport (AP)/troopship (APT) is a class of auxiliary ship built in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]} Intended as a successor of Qiongsha-class cargo ship, the exact domestic Chinese type designation remains unknown, so this class is identified by its NATO reporting name Darong class.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} Specification:^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

Darong class in PLAN service is designated by a combination of two Chinese characters followed by a three-digit number. The second Chinese character is Yun (运), meaning transport in Chinese. The first Chinese character denotes which fleet the ship is service with, with East (Dong, 东) for East Sea Fleet, North (Bei, 北) for North Sea Fleet, and South (Nan, 南) for South Sea Fleet. However, the pennant numbers are subject to change due to the change of Chinese naval ships naming convention, or when units are transferred to different fleets. As of 2022, a total of two ships have been identified:^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

Type	NATO designation	Pennant No.	Name (English)	Name (Han 中文)	Commissioned	Displacement	Fleet	Status
Darong class transport (AP) / troopship (APT)	Darong class	Nan-Yun 830	South Transport 830	南运 830	?	5,000 t	South Sea Fleet	Active
		Nan-Yun 831	South Transport 831	南运 831	?	5,000 t	South Sea Fleet	Active

Notes and References

1. Web site: PLANS recognition guide 2018. July 16, 2018.
2. Web site: PLANS recognition guide 2019. February 19, 2020.
3. Web site: PLANS recognition guide 2020. February 19, 2020.
4. Web site: PLANS recognition guide 2015. August 7, 2015.
5. Web site: Chinese Darong class AP Nan-Yun 831 . Zh-hans . August 5, 2016.
6. Web site: Darong class AP Nan-Yun 831 . Zh-hans . May 10, 2016.
7. Web site: Darong class AP Nan-Yun 831 of Chinese navy. Zh-hans . May 10, 2016.