Fincantieri delivers oceanographic icebreaker to Norwegian research institute

The vessel was constructed at Fincantieri’s Riva Trigoso and Muggiano shipyard before sailing to Norway for final tests prior to delivery.  
The 9,000gt ship reached a top speed of 15 knots. It is more than 100m long, 21m wide, has accommodation for 55 persons in 38 cabins, and can proceed through ice of thickness up to 1m under its own power. Capable of undertaking oceanographic and hydrographic research activities in any region, the Kronprins Haakon has been built to design criteria that ensure minimum environmental impact and reduced radiation of underwater noise. This enables the study of fish and marine mammals.
The vessel can accommodate two helicopters and is equipped with sophisticated sensoring equipment and instrumentation allowing investigation of the morphology and geology of the seabed. Scientific tasks are likely to include geophysics, chemistry and seismology studies as well as the consequences of climate change in the Arctic.