Alewijnse Marine has won order for the full electrical installation on board the Government of Australia’s new Antarctic icebreaker.
The antarctic supply and research vessel (ASRV) will be the centerpiece of the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20-year action plan and have an operational life of at least 30 years.
The 156‐metre vessel will require all the electrical systems necessary to service 500m² of laboratory and office facilities for its research activities, as well as a wide range of scientific equipment for sub‐surface exploration. It will also have accommodation for up to 32 crew and 116 personnel.
The contract was awarded by lead contractor Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Vlissingen, The Netherlands. Under its terms Alewijnse will be responsible for the engineering, delivery and installation of the vessel’s entire electrical installation, including the main power installation, the propulsion and thruster control systems and the integrated platform management system.
The build and outfitting will take place at Damen Shipyards Galati, Romania. Several Alewijnse business units will support Alewijnse Marine Galati at the Damen yard. Work is now underway at Alewijnse on the systems design and engineering in partnership with Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS).
The yet to be named ASRV will sail to DSNS in the Netherlands for handover to DMS Maritime, the prime contract representing the Australian Antarctic Division. This is scheduled for April 2020.