Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque, part of Damen Shiprepair & Conversion, has wrapped up a complete renovation of the French research vessel, Marion Dufresne II.
Delivered on time, the oceanographic research vessel set sail for the Port of La Réunion where it will resume its logistic and scientific journey to the French Southern and Antarctic Lands.
“The excellent cooperation between the yard and the vessel’s crew was important in this project’s successful planning, coordination and execution. We rebuilt a large part of the vessel within 4 months to extend her life by 20 years,” said Head of Marketing & Sales at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque, Khalil Benjelloul .
Benjelloul expalined: “We replaced the vessel’s most important scientific apparatus, the multi-beam sonar. We scrapped the existing equipment, rebuilt the hull and installed a new gondola and control room. Furthermore we completely renewed the ILOT capstan, a system used to take sea water samples, and installed new equipment. The hull has been blasted and repainted as well as some of the ballast tanks. The vessel’s accommodation areas have been redone in cooperation with the client’s subcontractor, this included laboratory facilities used by IPEV scientists. Marion Dufresne II can accommodate 114 passengers or scientific researchers and 46 crew.”
The multi-purpose vessel owned by French administration “Les Terres australes et antarctiques françaises” (TAAF) and managed by CMA CGM, supplies French southern islands 4 months a year, and carries out oceanographic research 217 days per year under the responsibility of the Institut Polaire Paul-Emile Victor (IPEV).