World's first purpose-built krill harvesting vessel delivered from Vard Brattvaag

Vard reports that the naming ceremony of the world’s first purpose-built krill harvesting vessel Antarctic Endurance (883) took place in Ålesund Friday 18th of January, and The Honorable Alexandra Shackleton officially named the vessel. The Godmother is the granddaughter of renowned British Polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. ​​​

Almost 260 invited guests from Aker BioMarine and its crew attended the ceremony, followed by a guided tour onboard the new vessel and a banquet dinner at Scandic Parken Hotel. Despite the cold and snowy weather, there was also 250 people that wanted to have a look on board after the naming ceremony was over.

The contract with Aker BioMarine was secured in February 2017, and delivered on time two years after. The vessel is specially developed for sustainable fishing operations in Antarctica. The vessel measures 130 meters in length, have a beam of 23 meters, and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for environmentally friendly operations. Utilising a number of innovative processes and technologies onboard, the vessel is 30 percent more environmentally efficient, compared to today's trawlers.

The vessel is of VARD 8 10 design and the specially designed hull was built by Vard Tulcea. It has been outfitted, tested and finalized at Vard Brattvåg. Vard Electro has delivered SeaQ Green Pilot which is the vessels fuel and energy monitoring system. The system enables the crew to optimize the use and recovery of the energy onboard the vessel. Vard Electro has also delivered their SeaQ Bridge solution, which gives the vessel an unique integrated working environment that gives the operator control of the bridge systems from one tablet. The solution will give the operators possibilities  to adjust the bridge set-up based on their operational needs. Vard Accommodation has delivered the interior onboard.

There has been a total of 40 Norwegian vendors contributing to the vessel, and over 900 people in Norway has been involved in the project, in addition to all colleagues in Romania that has been working with the hull.

Yard director Fredrik Mordal Hessen from Vard Brattvaag says: "We are incredibly happy to see Antarctic Endurance set sail from our yard for its debut harvesting season. A unique project, in partnership with Aker Biomarine we have overcome a number of challenges to deliver what we believe is an industry defining vessel".

Matt Johansen, CEO Aker BioMarine says: "We have put all our experience and know-how into building a vessel capable of matching our ambitions and operational needs, a vessel we could have only dreamt of when we started our very own Antarctic adventure for more than a decade ago". Adding, "Named in tribute to polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton's Norwegian-constructed vessel, Endurance, the name also reflects our own perseverance over the years. Energy efficient and equipped with a host of environmentally friendly technologies, Antarctic Endurance is specifically designed and constructed for our unique business, with direct input from our experienced crew. It is truly one of a kind, and our very first purpose-built krill harvesting vessel".