South Korean research organisation taps local builder for future vessel

South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) will soon begin construction on a new multi-purpose research vessel for the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM).

The Norwegian-designed 92- by 21-metre vessel will be used to fulfill tasks related to seismic and oceanographic research such as high-resolution seafloor mapping, seafloor survey, and sediment sampling.

There will be onboard accommodations for a crew of 20 plus 30 researchers as well as a variety of equipment including a 3D/4D seismic eight-streamer system, a high resolution 2D/3D seismic P-cable system, a multicomponent ocean bottom node (OBN) acquisition system, a marine gravity and magnetic system, multi-beam and single beam echosounders, and auxiliary equipment for in-sea acoustic sounding systems. The vessel will also incorporate a deep sea sub-bottom profiler, an acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP), and a high profile underwater positioning system.

Sediment samplers and geochemical analysis equipment will be available for the on-board researchers.

The hull will have an inverted bow design that will contribute to reductions in slamming and vibrations, making the vessel suitable for research operations.