STX Finland to build fisheries research vessel for Namibia

STX Finland Oy has signed a contract with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of the Republic of Namibia, Worth about EUR 35 million, the contract is for the construction of a fisheries research vesse land will bring some 250 man-years of labor to STX Finland’s Rauma shipyard. Delivery is scheduled for spring 2012.

The  62 m vessel will provide accommodations for 45 crew members and research personnel.

The vessel is specifically designed for the purposes of Namibian fisheries research. It meets the latest standards set for this type of vessels requiring, in particular, special care in the design of laboratory equipment, propulsion and power generation system. Special attention has been given to the vessel’s serviceability and low maintenance costs.

The ship features a dynamic positioning system and it is operational in any African sea and weather condition in all seasons with no restrictions.

The tasks of the research vessel include monitoring of fish stock, as well as sorting, processing, freezing and storage of fish. The multi-purpose specialized vessel will also be used for collecting biological samples for seabed research and analysis and provide assistance for control of fishing. The vessel also features facilities for meteorological research.

“This order is very important for STX Rauma shipyard. The contract now signed shows that the shipyard has succeeded very well in its long-term research and development efforts focused on specialized vessels,” says Timo Suistio, Director of STX Rauma shipyard. “The R&D will continue with the construction of the research vessel now ordered by Namibia. In the design we can apply the same technologies as in the icebreaker for research purposes ordered by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs, to be delivered in 2012, since the two vessels, to a certain extent, carry out similar tasks and use the same kind of equipment. In the case of the fisheries research vessel, the areas for further development include enhanced hydroacoustic characteristics and hull protection techniques.”

STX Finland says the support of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Embassy in Windhoek were of crucial importance in the promotion of this project and in realizing the ship contract.

Main Dimensions:
Length, overall 62.40 m
Breadth, molded 14.00 m
Height molded to Upper Deck 4 9.70 m
Height molded to Main Deck 3 7.10 m
Draught, design molded 4.50 m
Draft, scantling 4.70 m
Deadweight at design draft 642 t
Preliminary tonnage value (GT) 1950
Trial speed 15 knots

February 17, 2011