On Monday, February 28, a new oceanographic research vessel was launched in Vigo. This ship was built by the shipyard Construcciones Navales P Freire, SA (Freire Shipyard) for the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD). Several company representatives were present at the event led by Jesús, Guillermo and Marcos Freire, who were accompanied by a delegation from the shipowner and supervision teams.
“We are very pleased to proceed with a milestone in the construction of such an innovative ship”, explains the company’s commercial director, Santiago Sío. Within the world of oceanographic vessels, this is the eighth construction of Freire Shipyard which has two more vessels in its order book.
Freire Shipyard is currently an international benchmark in the design and construction of oceanographic research vessels. “We have first-line clients and references of varied construction, from multipurpose compact ships to specific research units of size and capacity”, explains Santiago Sío.
The construction contract was signed in December 2020 and the work started six months later. According to a communication from Abu Dhabi government, it is about the construction of the “most advanced research vessel in the Middle East”.
The maritime research vessel
This state-of-the-art oceanographic designed entirely by Freire Shipyard is intended to carry out advanced research work in both deep and shallow waters. To do this, it will have ecologically sustainable technologies that provide solutions for lower fuel consumption and lower pollutant emissions, as well as allowing silent operation when navigating at low speed. The ship, which will be able to accommodate 18 crew members and 11 scientists, will be equipped with the most advanced technology equipment available on the market that will allow it to meet the requirements of the different laboratories on board: fishing laboratory, chemical laboratory, biophysical laboratory, dry and wet laboratories, as well as a place for the diving team, among others.
State-of-the-art of its kind, this vessel will help to develop and preserve Abu Dhabi’s natural resources and economy.