The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research (IMR) has ordered a new oceanographic vessel to be built by Gondan Shipyard in Spain.
The contract is due to be signed on 14 March.
The new vessel will be designed by Skipsteknisk AS and will replace existing vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen. It will have dimensions of 74.5m length overall and 17.4m breadth.
The new vessel will perform oceanographic and hydrographic functions, marine biology, biomass analysis, and geology, among other duties. The vessel will also be able to launch and recover buoys for data collection, ROV and AUV operations, as well as logistic and cargo handling operations, and student training.
The vessel is planned to operate in joint missions with scientific institutions of developing countries.
