The SA Agulhas II polar supply and research vessel was handed over to the South African government on 4 April 2012.
The STX Rauma shipyard in Finland delivered the vessel to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) now (
DFFE)during a ceremony yesterday. Representatives from the DEA as well as the Embassy of South Africa in Finland, The South African Maritime Authority, classification society Det Norske Veritas and STX Finland were there to witness the flag-changing ceremony.
“It is with honour and pride that we receive the SA Agulhas II as planned from STX Finland,” said the ship’s Captain Freddie Ligthelm. “An exciting voyage lies ahead of us as we make our way south to the ship’s new home in Cape Town, South Africa. The ship’s sea trials and ice trials went well and she proved to be a good ice going ship. We use the ship to carry scientists and research equipment for the South African National Antarctic Programme in the sea area between South Africa, the Antarctic Islands and Antarctica. The new ship’s ability in ice covered waters will shorten journey times to the Antarctic Ice Shelf and will allow for onboard scientific research in the Southern Oceans during winter months.”
“We are proud to deliver this technically high-class multipurpose vessel to the client,” said the director of STX Rauma Shipyard, Toivo Ilvonen. “The project has offered valuable experience and expertise in the design and building of demanding polar research and supply vessels to the personnel of STX Rauma shipyard and all our partners involved in the project.”
text : DEFENCEWEB
