Due to Commence Operations in 2024
On 22 December, Chilean shipyard Asmar launched a new polar vessel for the Chilean Navy – the Almirante Viel. The project involved a workforce of over 800 and an investment of $210 million.
Work commenced in May 2017 as the Antarctica I project, with the Vard Marine 9 203 design selected: construction began in August 2018. The 111m, 10,500t vessel is expected to be ready for service in 2024 and is built to Polar Class 5 standards, meaning she will break ice up to 1m thick. With a range of 14,000nmi, her maximum speed will be 15 knots. Steering mechanisms, rudders and stern tube castings, etc., are supplied by Damen Marine Components.
Almirante Viel is the largest vessel of its type to have been built in Chile and will carry up to 30 scientists for a wide variety of missions, making use of a multibeam echo-sounder for medium and deep waters, as well as an omnidirectional search sonar from Kongsberg Maritime. In a cargo role, it will be capable of transporting 19 standard 20ft containers, 400m3 of fuel and a boat, together with 25t capacity cranes. It will also be able to operate two medium helicopters and two rescue boats.
Santiago Rivas in Buenos Aires for MON
