Signing a memorandum of understanding with representatives from the China Overseas Development Association (CODA), Aker BioMarine announced that its newest, one of a kind, support vessel will be built in the world’s leading shipbuilding country, China.
The project, with a yet undisclosed set of Norwegian suppliers and a Chinese yard, includes the construction and the final fit out of the vessel by December 2020.
Coinciding with the State Visit of His Majesty King Harald V and Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway to the People’s Republic of China, the memorandum of understanding between Aker BioMarine and CODA highlights the active dialogue, ongoing cooperation and growing economic ties between the two nations.
Commenting on the agreement, Matts Johansen, CEO Aker BioMarine said, “Renowned for their expertise and capacity to deliver, we are thrilled to continue modernizing and improving our operations with Chinese partners. This is the beginning of a unique collaboration targeting the delivery of a custom-made Chinese built vessel equipped with truly unique Norwegian technologies.”
Highlighting the importance of the agreement, Mr. Hu Weiping, Chairman of CODA shared, “We are delighted to see the continuous deepening relations between China and Norway, providing win-win solutions and mutual benefits. Aker BioMarine’s wish to build a state-of-the-art transport vessel in China embodies this spirit of cooperation between the two nations. We are pleased to be a part of supporting this process and desired to contribute to this cooperation.”
CODA is a national non-profit organization providing comprehensive services for the overseas development of Chinese businesses and is an important bridge between the Chinese government and businesses.
Replacing their existing transportation vessel La Manche, Aker BioMarine’s new krill support vessel will be based on the latest energy saving and environmentally-friendly technologies.
Designed specifically to meet the unique demands of krill harvesting operations and to face the challenging Antarctic conditions, the new vessel will feature an innovative, integrated cargo handling system. Powered by the latest technology including combustion engines, the vessel will be propelled with an efficient propulsion line with variable propeller. The supply vessel will be equipped with an advanced heat recovery system helping to reduce the carbon footprint even further.
This is another step in the existing collaboration between Norway and China related to sustainable krill harvesting in the Antarctica.
Earlier this year, Aker BioMarine and Chinese krill harvesting companies together with other members of the Association of Responsible Krill harvesting companies (ARK), came together to adopt voluntary measures to further secure the sustainability of krill harvesting in the Antarctic Ocean.