Press release -
Kongsberg Maritime selected to equip state-of-the-art replacement for long-serving Belgian research vessel
Kongsberg, Norway, 29th March 2019 – Kongsberg Maritime will deliver an integrated suite of subsea technology to a new Belgian research vessel. Already under construction at Freire Shipyard in Vigo, Spain, the advanced new replacement for the Belgian research vessel RV Belgica is due to be handed over to the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (BELSPO) in October 2020.
Launched in 1984, RV Belgica carried out many years of service, however, emerging mechanical issues in 2013 catalysed plans to build her replacement. Kongsberg Maritime’s delivery for the new vessel is based on a substantial integrated subsea package, comprising scientific, hydrographic, geophysical, SSBL and GNSS positioning systems. KONGSBERG will also deliver a full sensor integration solution in addition to various third-party systems, to ensure efficient and sustainable operations.
The KONGSBERG series of Simrad scientific systems, including the EK80 wideband single-beam system, the ME70 multibeam system and the unique omnidirectional sonar SU90 that can detect and track life forms for several kilometres around the vessel, will form the foundation of the new craft’s scientific scope. The vessel will also be equipped with the Simrad wireless PX trawl monitoring system and wired FX80 catch monitoring system, which can provide a live camera feed enabling monitoring of fish activity within the trawl.
In addition, the delivery will include KONGSBERG’s acclaimed deep- and shallow-water multibeam echo sounders for bottom mapping; the EM 304 1 x 1 degree and EM2040 Dual RX. For geophysical applications, the TOPAS PS18 Sub-Bottom Profiler system will be used for high-resolution seabed imaging, while underwater positioning references will be provided by the industry-standard HiPAP 502 SSBL system, which only requires the installation of one hull-mounted transducer and one subsea transponder to establish a three-dimensional transponder position.
KONGSBERG’s combined positioning and attitude sensor, the Seapath 380-R3 (featuring the IMO type-approved MGC-R3 compass system), will log the vessel’s position and movement to ensure that all data is accurately georeferenced. A second MGC-R3 will also be positioned in one of the vessel’s drop keels.
“We are naturally proud and delighted to be selected as the preferred supplier for this magnificent new-build,” comments Øystein Aasbø, Area Sales Manager, Kongsberg Maritime. “When ready, she will be equipped with state-of-the-art acoustics capable of modern ecosystem assessment of the entire water column, and survey of the seabed from very shallow waters and down to 8,000m. Since 1984, RV Belgica has served the Belgian scientific community well, and her replacement will be a worthy successor.”
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Gunvor Hatling Midtbø, VP Communication
Kongsberg Maritime
Tel: +47 9921 4209
gunvor.hatling.midtbo@km.kongsberg.com
Saul Trewern
Saltwater Stone
Tel: +44 (0)1202 669244
s.trewern@saltwater-stone.com
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About Kongsberg Maritime
Kongsberg Maritime is a global marine technology company providing innovative and reliable technology solutions for all marine industry sectors including merchant, offshore, subsea and naval. Headquartered in Kongsberg, Norway, the company has manufacturing, sales and service facilities in 20 countries.
Kongsberg Maritime systems for vessels cover all aspects of marine automation, safety, manoeuvring, navigation, and dynamic positioning. Subsea solutions include single and multibeam echo sounders, sonars, AUV and USV, underwater navigation and communication systems.
Training courses at locations globally, LNG solutions, information management, position reference systems and technology for seismic and drilling operations are also part of the company’s diverse technology portfolio.
In parallel with its extensive technology portfolio, Kongsberg Maritime provides services within EIT (Electro, Instrument & Telecom) engineering and system integration, on an EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) basis.
Kongsberg Maritime delivers solutions that cover all aspects of technology underwater and on the water, aboard new build and retrofit vessels, and on offshore platforms and rigs, often under a single supplier strategy called The Full Picture.
Kongsberg Maritime is part of Kongsberg Gruppen (KONGSBERG), an international, knowledge-based group that celebrated 200 years in business during 2014. KONGSBERG supplies high-technology systems and solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry, the merchant marine, and the defence and aerospace industries. www.km.kongsberg.com
