Argentina’s National Institute of Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP) has signed a contract with Spanish shipyard Astilleros Armon Vigo for an oceanographic research and fisheries vessel.
INIDEP director, Otto Wöhler, explained that one of the reasons why the call for tender was addressed to a foreign bid was to do with the requirement for a high soundproof hull.
“With fisheries research is very important not to make noises that scare marine life. It is almost a prerequisite in building a research vessel,” he said. “The contract was awarded to a Spanish shipyard with vast experience in this technology that is not available in this country."
The 52m vessel will have high capacities for oceanographic research, a large aft work platform for fishing activities, multipurpose research laboratories and low water radiated noise.
The shipyard has an estimated construction period of 18 months from the time of signing the contract.
"It should be ready by mid-2017,” said Dr Wöhler. “Then tests will be conducted at sea for one to one and a half months and then the crew designated by INIDEP will bring the ship to Argentina. The crew will also spend a while in Vigo to have all the necessary training to operate the vessel.”
