STX Finland and the South African Department of Environmental Affairs have signed a contract for construction of a polar supply and research vessel.
The ship, with a value of approximately US$173.5 million, will be built at the Rauma shipyard and will be delivered in the northern spring in 2012.
The ship will function as a multi-purpose vessel, serving, among other things, as a supply vessel, research vessel, icebreaker, expedition vessel, as well as a passenger ship.
The ice-strengthened vessel will be approximately 134 metres long and it will have accommodation for a crew of 45 and some 100 researchers or passengers.
The polar supply and research vessel will be used to carry scientists and research equipment for the South African National Antarctic Programme in the sea area between South Africa, the Antarctic islands and Antarctica.
The ship can spend several months out at sea and also acts as a mobile laboratory. Scientists can also conduct various types of marine research onboard the ship. Furthermore, the vessel will be able to keep continuous record of weather data for meteorological institutions around the world.
"This is one of the biggest individual civil trade agreements the Finnish industry has made with South Africa," said Timo Suistio, Director of the Rauma shipyard.
"The design work on the new research vessel will commence immediately and the ship will enter production in September 2010. The ship will be delivered to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs, in spring 2012."
"The new ship, apart from its supply function, will be a catalyst to rebuild the deep-sea oceanography capacity in South Africa," said Henry Valentine, Director of the Antarctica and Islands programme.
"This would also attract participation of international scientists and researchers, thus significantly contributing to research projects addressing new challenges and changing interests, for instance, climate change research."
