On Thursday October 25th, SKB's new vessel, M/S Sigrid, was launched at the shipyard in Galati, Romania where she was built. Sigrid should arrive to her home port in Oskarshamn by summer 2013.
The new vessel, M/S Sigrid, is slightly larger than her predecessor M/S Sigyn, which has been in service during the past 30 years. Sigrid will be able to carry 20% more cargo than Sigyn. The vessel is designed to operate more fuel efficiently and thus more eco-friendly than her predecessor. Safety requirements are stringent, and Sigrid has, for example, a double hull, radiation protection, four engines and other multiple systems.
"The launch marks an important milestone in the project. 20 months ago, this vessel was nothing more than a drawing. Now she is a reality. The vessel is the result of hard work and good project management," says Bo Sundman, Director of the Department of Operations at SKB.
The vessel is designed and built by the Dutch-owned Damen Shipyards Group, which owns the shipyard in Galati, Romania.
Background: In Sweden there will be a need for safe transport of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste for many years to come. At the beginning of 2010, SKB's Board decided to build a new vessel to replace M/S Sigyn, which has been in operation since 1982.
M/S Sigrid Particulars:
- Length overall: 99.5 metres
- Breadth: 18.6 metres
- Loading capacity (number of containers): 12
- Draft: 4.5 metres
- Speed: 12 knots