JOGMEC announces the launch of a new marine resource research vessel commissioned by JOGMEC. The naming and launching ceremony of the vessel was held on March 23rd at the Shimonoseki Shipyard owned by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
At the shipyard ceremony, Mr. Kawano, joined by esteemed guests, christened the vessel “Hakurei”. After the announcement, the vessel was slowly lowered into the water. Inboard construction work on the vessel (gross tonnage: 6200 tons / overall length: 18.3m) will continue at the shipyard, with official commissioning scheduled for February 2012.
Equipped with two types of advanced drilling system, the vessel will accelerate exploration and development activities for marine resources whose presence has been confirmed in the areas surrounding Japan. The ship will be the first cutting-edge marine resource research vessel in Japan.
[mappress] Source: jogmec, April 14, 2011;