AWARDS 2024 | Best Medium Fisheries Research Vessel – Kaharoa II – Skipsteknisk & Armon Shipyard

New Zealanders are known to be a frugal people and they expect their government to behave similarly. The fact that this fine new research vessel replaces one that has served for 40 years illustrates that reality perfectly.

The result of a collaboration between one of the world’s leading designers of fisheries research vessels and a world renowned builder of them, this ship is likely to serve at least as well and for at least as long as its predecessor.

"The vessel is special due to its limited size and functional complexity," Hans Ove Holmoy, Managing Director/Sales Manager Research Vessels at Skipsteknisk, told Baird Maritime.

"Ensuring proper utilisation of space has proved challenging but at the same time, effective solutions for a large number of scientific operations have been successfully incorporated."

Holmoy added that Kaharoa II is a rather small vessel for its operational range. Even though the vessel's main duty will be conducting coastal surveys, it may also be employed for inter-continental surveys on an annual basis.

"It combines remarkable efficiency and versatility into a compact platform," added Ricardo Garcia, Group Commercial Director at Armon Shipyard. "It’s unique in that it can accommodate nearly the same suite of scientific equipment and capabilities one would typically find on research vessels almost 20 metres longer.

"That kind of functionality in a vessel of such manageable size is rare."

In Garcia's view, that attribute makes Kaharoa II a versatile vessel capable of supporting a wide range of missions, from oceanographic surveys to autonomous vehicle deployments, all while guaranteeing lower operating costs and greater manoeuvrability.

"It’s a perfect example of smart design meeting real-world research needs," Garcia remarked.

"Weight optimisation is critical on vessels of this size, and so we needed to limit the weight of the hull and the superstructure as well as that of the deck equipment," said Holmoy.

2024

Skipsteknisk enjoyed high levels of activity throughout 2024, a year that Holmoy said represents the end of a decade of increased activity within fishing vessels before the transition to a new period where offshore and energy vessels are expected to play a more dominant role.

"Apart from this, our activity within the research vessel segment has been stable and we also expect this activity to continue to be stable in the years ahead," said Holmoy.

Garcia meanwhile said that Armon Shipyard experienced a robust year in 2024, as indicated by the awarding of major contracts and a number of completed deliveries.​

"With a production capacity exceeding 40 vessels per year and a diverse portfolio, Armon Shipyard has delivered over 1,000 vessels since its inception," Garcia told Baird Maritime. "This consistent performance, coupled with recent achievements, positions the company favourably compared to previous years.​

"Given these accomplishments and the growing emphasis on sustainable maritime solutions, we remain optimistic about the future."

In Holmoy's view, there is a constant and increasing need for marine research in the years ahead, as confirmed by numerous reports from various international research institutes and organisations.

"When it comes to investments in new research vessels, financing is always a challenge," he said. "As most of the research vessels in operation today are owned by or financed through national governments, budgeting and the ranking of priorities often prove challenging.

"Despite this, a large number of research vessels are being built worldwide, and still more vessels are being planned. For us at Skipsteknisk, we are convinced that designing research vessels will continue to be an important part of our business."

Holmoy added that environmental innovations will be considered in the company's design developments. These innovations will include alternative propulsion methods such as electric propulsion and "green" fuels.

"As regards the Scandinavian workboat industry, cost is always a concern in serving international markets," he told Baird Maritime, "but it also forces industry players to be at the forefront of innovation and the development of new equipment and solutions.

"In order to succeed in the future, those within the Scandinavian workboat industry will need to continue keeping pace with innovation and making smart decisions."

For a list of the 2024 "Best Of" award winners, please click here.