Glosten selected to design new Red Sea research vessel

Written by Marine Log Staff
New research vessel

Replacing the existing RV Thuwal, the new research vessel will bring advanced research capabilities for work in both shallow reef and deep water environments. [Image: Glosten]

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has selected Seattle-headquartered naval architecture firm Glosten to design a state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessel (RV).

Replacing the existing RV Thuwal, the new RV will bring advanced research capabilities for work in both shallow reef and deep water environments. It will feature a reconfigurable deck for multipurpose jobs and equipment and will have weather-hardy traits for managing the unique conditions of the Red Sea.

The near 22-year-old RV Thuwal, originally designed as a fishing vessel for navigating the coastal waters of Australia, has served KAUST scientists for as many as 220 days at sea per year since 2013. However, the retrofitted 34.7-meter long vessel is limited in the tasks and sea conditions it can manage. As KAUST expands its research ambitions for studying the Red Sea, it requires a robust vessel with optimal functionalit/

The new Glosten-designed ship will bring increased stability and reliability for operating year-round in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba, and areas with similar tropical waters and climatic conditions. Custom designed features will meet a broad range of oceanographic missions, including seawater, sediment, and biological sampling to the full depth of the Red Sea, approximately 3,000 meters.

LARGER, MORE CAPABLE

At 50 meters long, the vessel will be significantly larger than the Thuwal and offer a greater range of operational capabilities. The deck will be designed to deploy heavy equipment and sophisticated instrumentation for multiple disciplines, including geoscience, bioscience, marine science, and oceanographic research interests.

The RV will be equipped with an advanced positioning system to enable deployment of long-duration remote and autonomous vehicles as well as geoscience sampling systems.

The combined features will position KAUST to make new discoveries that will enhance investigations and collaborations, and evolve knowledge about this young ocean that will, in turn, better support the kingdom and its environmental and economic initiatives, including the NEOM, Amaala, and Red Sea giga-projects.

The ship will be the only advanced marine vessel of its kind uniquely built for and dedicated to conducting research in the Red Sea and run by scientists and crew with expertise specific to this body of water.

“KAUST is a major hub for marine research in the Red Sea, and we are expanding our activities to better integrate with the kingdom’s growing interests,” said Kaust vice president for research and distinguished professor, Dr. Donal Bradley. “Our investment in a world-class research vessel underscores a commitment to fully support our partners here in Saudi Arabia and around the world, and give KAUST faculty, researchers, and students unrivaled infrastructure to pursue their exciting research plans.”

Glosten has provided design and engineering support to the oceanographic research community for more than 60 years, working with scientists and operators to provide economical designs that are optimized for marine science, operational areas, and low emissions. The firm will provide KAUST with the design, shipyard tendering support, and construction oversight through vessel delivery, with the project slated to complete in 2026.

“Our team is excited to bring this new level of research vessel capability to the Red Sea region/“ said Glosten principal Ken FitzGerald. “Optimizing a vessel for KAUST for the specific conditions of the operating area and science research needs requires a high level of engagement between our engineers and the KAUST team. This is when we are at our best.”

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