The German Government has entrusted GONDAN Shipyards with the construction of two new scientific research vessels to operate in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. This project is a strategic award managed by the Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie(BSH), the federal agency in charge of maritime safety and nautical cartography in the country.
Tender with technical requirements for GONDAN Shipyard
After a three-year selection process, GONDAN won an international tender that required high standards in naval engineering, sustainability and energy efficiency. The vessels, named “Wega” and “Deneb“, have been designed in collaboration with the engineering firm Seaplace and will be 70 meters long and 15 meters wide.
Both vessels will be equipped with a propulsion system optimized to run on green methanol, an alternative fuel that reduces emissions. In addition, they will receive “Blue Angel” environmental certification and will comply with the “Silent-R” standard from DNVThe vessels will also be certified as “Blue Angel” environmentally friendly and will comply with DNV’s “Silent-R” standard, guaranteeing silent operation that preserves marine fauna and enables acoustic measurements to be taken without interference.
The vessels will be equipped with dynamic positioning technology, precision probes and state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment, including autonomous underwater vehicles. With these tools, they will be able to conduct oceanographic surveysThey will also be able to detect underwater obstacles and support key tasks for defense and safe navigation in German waters.
This award represents an important step forward for GONDAN, which consolidates its presence in the European specialized shipbuilding market. The execution of the project will contribute to maintain the shipyard’s industrial activity during the next years, confirming its capacity to undertake complex technical developments for public administrations and international organizations.
Source and photo: Astilleros GONDAN