Special Order Only
FINNISH SPECIALISED SHIPS EXPERTISE RANGES FROM
ICEBREAKERS TO NAVY VESSELS
In addition to high-profire luxury
cruise ships, Finnish shipyards have
a long tradition of building highly
specialised vessels. The most recent
T
he ship has a price tag of approximate-
area between South Africa, the Antarctic
ly EUR 116 million and will bring some
islands and the Antarctica. The ship can
600 man-years of work. The ship will be
spend several months out at sea and it al-
delivered in the spring of 2012.
so acts as a mobile laboratory. Scientists
The ship will function as a multi-pur-
example of this is the November
pose vessel, serving, among other things,
contract for construction of a Polar
as a supply vessel, research vessel, ice-
Supply and Research Vessel, with
breaker, expedition vessel, as well as a
South African Department of Envi-
passenger ship.
can also conduct various marine research
onboard the ship.
DIVERSE PACKAGE
and Rauma shipyard of STX Europe
as the manufacturer.
Mr. Timo Suistio, Director of the Rau-
Furthermore, the vessel keeps continuous
ma shipyard, says that the ship must fea-
record of weather data for meteorologi-
ture many capabilities since it will work
cal institutions around the world. The ves-
in extremely challenging conditions, per-
sel has a shelter and landing area for two
forming a wide range of tasks.
ronmental Affairs as the customer
Puma class helicopters and it will feature
The Polar Supply and Research Vessel will be used to carry scientists and re-
laboratories, a gym, a library, and a small
hospital.
search equipment for the South African
14
seatec 1/2010
The ice-strengthened vessel will be
National Antarctic Programme in the sea
approximately 134 metres long and it will