The ship was built during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and the recovered porcelain pieces are expected to be important sources for archeologists studying shipping during that period.

Discovered in 1987, the 5,000-ton ship is thought to be one of the oldest and largest merchant vessels that sank in Chinese waters.

During the initial excavation, archaeologists found wooden parts of the merchant vessel's cabin and deck, which proved to be the only well-preserved cabin and deck from the Song Dynasty era.

The well-preserved vessel has provided more evidence of the existence of an ancient maritime trade route linking China and the West, archeologists say.

In another development, a documentary film about the history of the maritime silk road will be made this year in Yangjiang, according to Huang.

"Nanhai No 1 and the marine silk road museum will be a key source for the film," Huang said.

The museum, which opened to the public in December 2009, attracted more than 400,000 tourists last year, offering them a chance to study China's ancient marine trade.