Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam, part of Damen Shipyards Group, has been contracted to build two seismic research support vessels (SRSVs) for repeat client Rederij Groen.
The order follows a previous contract for two chaser boats, named the 'Aquarius-G' and 'Astra-G' respectively, which were delivered to the Dutch marine services provider earlier this year.
The new vessels have a delivery target for the third quarter of 2014, with the option for a third sister vessel in 2015.
According to Damen, the new vessels will measure 35 metres in length, with a beam of 8.7 metres. Each vessel will be powered by 500kW electric motors driving twin azimuth thrusters. Three Caterpillar gensets will provide on board electrical power.
Once delivered, Rederij Groen is planning to put the vessels to work in the seismic industry worldwide. Like the earlier chaser boats, the new SRSVs will often operate alongside other vessels, assisting with board-to-board transhipment of goods and equipment.
As seismic research is done at low speeds, stability and manoeuvrability are key features of the vessel design.