Following its first sea launch in Tulcea, Romania on August 23, the vessel is now on its way to the Brattvåg shipyard on the west coast of Norway for more construction work. It is due to arrive in Norway at the beginning of October after sailing down the Danube into the Black Sea, through the Mediterranean and up through the English Channel.
Partners include WWF and the UN
Rev Ocean is owned by Norwegian business man, Kjell Inge Roekke. Other partners supporting the project include the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), UN Environmental Programme and Norwegian Business School.
The vessel will be equipped for conducting research that covers the entire marine ecosystem, using advanced technology systems developed by Norwegian companies. It will be used by scientists for innovative research expeditions which explore issues such as the impact that CO2 emissions have on the oceans, plastic pollution, protection of endangered species and sustainable fishing.
Battery power for optimum efficiency
The vessel will be constructed to run on diesel electric engines, with an additional 3MW lithium-ion battery pack for peak shaving and ensuring optimum efficiency.
An independent scientific committee will evaluate and recommend research projects for REV Ocean to pursue, and ensure the highest level of scientific standards and research quality.
The vessel has the capacity to take 60 scientists and 30 crew onboard, and features state-of-the-art echo sounders and sonars to study fish and other marine species, an advanced eco-harvesting system for live catch and release of biomass and pelagic samples, and multiple on-board laboratories.
V.Ships Leisure is providing management services to a number of expedition cruise ships including Mystic Cruises' World Explorer, Antarctica 21's Magellan Explorer and Scenic's Scenic Eclipse.
Ships Lesiure has er Bjornsen, V.Ships Leisure Director, said: ‘While the maritime industry endeavours to reduce carbon emissions across its global fleet, it’s also imperative that we continue look at the whole picture, both inside and outside of our industry, if we are to build towards a better and more sustainable future.’
ShipSure digital platform
He continued, ‘this exciting new partnership with REV Ocean will allow us to leverage V.Group’s unique range of expertise and experience, and our powerful digital ship management platform ShipSure, to contribute to vital scientific research and maximise positive impact, on a vessel that demonstrates the cutting edge in green ship technology.’
Bjornsen told SCN, ‘the commercial concept is under development but it will be a unique product.’
In addition to V.Group’s global reach, REV Ocean will benefit from the local expertise of our Norway office, which has strong ties with the Kjell Inge Røkke group of companies, and extensive knowledge of working within the guidelines set out by the Norwegian Maritime Authority, he remarked.
Nina Jensen, CEO of REV Ocean, commented: ‘V.Group’s unrivalled experience in sectors such as offshore, yachting and cruise means it is well equipped to handle the need for versatility and specialisation that will be required for REV Ocean’s vessel. In particular, its excellent track record in expedition cruise, including those operating in polar waters, will ensure that our vessel, and the crew onboard, will be able to tackle the most demanding of environments.
‘Together we will make sure that the ocean continues to thrive and can provide oxygen, food and jobs for mankind for generations to come - there is no alternative.’
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