On Wednesday, April 4, 2012, the STX Finland Rauma Shipyard delivered a polar supply and research vessel to the South African government's Department of Environmental Affairs.
Newbuilding 1369, S.A. Agulhas II is a multipurpose vessel which, among other tasks, operates as a supply, research and passenger vessel, as well as an icebreaker.
Representatives from the client, the South African Government's Department of Environmental Affairs, as well as the Embassy of South-Africa in Finland, The South African Maritime Authority, classification society Det Norske Veritas and STX Finland and the press were there to witness the flag-changing ceremony.
The ice-strengthened vessel is approximately 134 metres long and has accommodation for a crew of 45 and some 100 researchers or passengers. The vessel operates as a logistic support vessel for the South-African research stations on Antarctica, as well as the Marion and Gough islands, and it is capable of carrying out marine and geological sea floor research. The vessel keeps continuous record of meteorological data for weather services in South Africa.
”We are proud to deliver this multipurpose vessel to the client. The project has offered valuable experience and expertise in the design and building of demanding polar research and supply vessels to the personnel of STX Rauma shipyard and all our partners involved in the project”, said the Director of STX Rauma Shipyard, Toivo Ilvonen.