Replacement of outdated research vessel approved

The NWO-I (Dutch Foundation of Scientific Research Institutes )Foundation Board has approved the NIOZ (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research ) investment for the construction of a new ship in the national research fleet.

Next Generation Shipyards of the Netherlands has won the order. Designed by naval architects C-Job and to be named RV Adriaen Coenen, the new vessel is due to be delivered in the spring of 2022.

The research vessel will be optimised for day trips for the fast and flexible collection of research samples and will be able to operate in shallow coastal waters. RV Adriaen Coenen will be equipped with facilities for 12 scientists and other passengers plus two crew members. It will tow or push small objects including a mobile platform for bird observation. For research activities, the vessel will be equipped with hoisting equipment, a spacious working deck - with room for two rubber dinghies or a 10-ft container, arrangements for deployment of ADCP and multi-beam equipment, wet and dry laboratories, ICT infrastructure and communication equipment.

Alex Cofino, project manager of the fleet replacement and head of the NMF department, says about the new vessel: “RV Adriaen Coenen will be built using cutting edge green technology, innovative design and smart construction methods.”