Wärtsilä to design krill transport vessel for Aker BioMarine

Wärtsilä has been awarded a contract by Aker BioMarine to design a multi-purpose transport vessel that will operate in Antarctic waters.

The ship will be constructed by Chinese builder CIMC Raffles.

The transport vessel will have a length of 168 metres, a deadweight of 20,300 tonnes, and four Wärtsilä 31 4,880kW diesel engines.

The ship will carry supply goods and liquids as well as krill products from krill harvesting vessels working in the Antarctic area.

It is expected to be ready for the 2021 harvesting season.