New research vessel
State-of-the-art ship soon to arrive in Bergen
Photo: Norwegian Institute of Marine Research
RV Kronprins Haakon research vessel at sea just after launch near La Spezia, Italy.
M. Michael Brady
Asker, Norway
The RV Kronprins Haakon, named for Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and built by Fincantieri at the La Spezia shipyard in Italy, was launched in June. It is a state-of-the-art research vessel, designed by Rolls-Royce in Norway for the Norwegian Polar Institute. It will be operated by the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research in Bergen, the biggest research institute of its kind in Europe, with more than 1,000 staff. It is scheduled to sail from the yard on Dec. 21 and to arrive in Bergen on Jan. 3, 2018.
The vessel is specifically designed for operation in polar waters, according to the Unified Requirements for Polar Class Ship regulations of Polar Class 3 that specify year-round operation in second-year ice that may include multi-year ice inclusions.
With a displacement of 9,000 tons, a length of 3287 feet, a beam of 69 feet, and a draft of 26 feet, the RV Kronprins Haakon is the largest Norwegian icebreaker ever built. After it arrives in Norway, its final outfitting and sea trials will be carried out by VARD, a Fincantieri-owned shipyard in Norway.
This article originally appeared in the Dec. 15, 2017, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784.4617.
