Spanish yard floats out French ocean science institute's new research vessel

Spain's Freire Shipyard launched a new research vessel into the water at its Vigo facilities on Wednesday, July 9.

Anita Conti will replace an older research vessel in the fleet of French ocean science institute Ifremer. The newer vessel will be capable of operating underwater vehicles and is scheduled to enter service in 2026.

"Anita Conti represents a decisive step towards a more modern, multipurpose and environmentally friendly scientific fleet, reinforcing our operational capabilities," said Olivier Lefort, Director of the French Oceanographic Fleet.

The completed vessel will have an LOA of 45 metres, a beam of 11.5 metres, and accommodation for 12 crewmembers and 10 scientists.

A hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system will also be fitted. This will consist of a battery pack and biofuel-compatible generators feeding two shaft lines driven by electric motors and a DC electrical distribution system.

Freire Shipyard said the vessel will be designed to carry out research missions in coastal areas in mainland French waters such as the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel, though it may also be deployed in certain years on the coast of Africa and in the Antilles and French West Indies-Guyana zone.

Anita Conti will be equipped with a gondola under the hull housing acoustic transducers that will enable it to explore and map the seabed and water column. It will also feature laboratories and an oceanographic marine telescopic main crane at the stern for launch and retrieval of scientific equipment.

For scientific fishing operations, this vessel will also have two trawling winches and a removable net drum.

The vessel will be built in compliance with Bureau Veritas' "COMF 2" and DNV's "Silent-F" notations.