VARD Designed Antarctic Icebreaker for Chilean Navy

Vard Holdings Limited, a designer and builder of offshore and specialized vessels, announced that its subsidiary Vard Marine has secured a new contract for the design of one Antarctic icebreaking vessel for the Chilean Navy. The contract value is approximately €4 million.

Vard Marine, a consulting naval architecture and marine engineering company, has been awarded the contract by ASMAR Shipbuilding & Ship Repair Company to design an Antarctic icebreaking vessel for the Chilean Navy. The contract calls for Vard Marine to develop the basic design of the ship that will be constructed at the ASMAR shipyard in Talcahuano, Chile. The vessel will be capable of operating throughout the Southern Ocean with services to include logistic support, search and rescue missions, scientific research, and resupplying bases in the Chilean Antarctic Territory.

The new vessel will be approximately 125 meters in length with a displacement of over 13,000 metric tons, a total complement of 155, and installed power of 14.5 MW to permit breaking one meter of ice at two knots. The vessel is designed to carry a wide range of containerized and vehicle cargo; helicopters and rescue boats for logistics/SAR missions, as well as the ability to undertake a broad range of scientific data gathering activities. Delivery of the vessel is scheduled in 2021.