Polar Supply and Research Vessel ordered by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs was named and launched at STX Finland Oy’s Rauma shipyard. NB 1369 was named to S.A. Agulhas II by Director General Mrs Noshipho Ngcaba from the South African Department of Environmental Affairs.
The event was attended by representatives and guests of the client; the South African Department of Environmental Affairs and STX Finland Oy, South African Maritime Safety Authority, the classification society Det Norske Veritas and media representatives. Brass band Pläkkploosarit entertained the people gathered around the drydock to witness the opening of valves.
“ The construction of the vessel continues as planned. The ship will be handed over to the client as agreed in the spring of 2012″, explains Timo Suistio, EVP & COO of STX Finland Oy and Director of STX Rauma shipyard. In addition to this multipurpose arctic research vessel Rauma shipyard has a car-passenger vessel Spirit of France, a fisheries research vessel and a double ended ferry under construction ,” Suistio continues.
S.A. Agulhas II is a multipurpose vessel that will operate as supply, research and passenger ship as well as an icebreaker among other things. The core functions of the Vessel will be logistic support for South African research bases on the Antarctic mainland, Marion Island and Gough Island. The vessel will also be equipped to conduct oceanographic studies as well as marine geological research. In addition, the vessel conducts continuous measurements of a range of meteorological parameters for transmission to the South African Weather Services, and deploys weather balloons and weather buoys during certain transits. When completed, the vessel will also operate internationally as a passenger ship for some 150 people. The ice-strengthened vessel will be approximately 134 metres long and it will have accommo-dation for a crew of 45 and some 100 researchers or passengers.
STX Finland Oy has three shipyards in Finland, Turku shipyard, Rauma shipyard and Arctech Helsinki Shipyard Inc., of which STX Finland Oy owns 50%. STX Finland’s subsidiaries include Aker Arctic Technology Oy and STX Cabins Oy, among others. The company belongs to the STX Europe Group, an international shipbuilding group with a product range including passenger ships, ferries, offshore services vessels,specialized vessels. STX Europe has approximately 15,000 employees.
[mappress] Source: stxeurope, August 1, 2011;