Last May, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology JAMSTEC, has started a tender for the construction of an LNG fuelled research vessel with ice-breaking capabilities to explore the Arctic.
From what the Agency has already revealed, the research vessel will be 128 metres long with gross tonnage of 13,000. It will be running on a dual-fuel engine and will be able to navigate through ice at the speed of 3 knots. The cost of realization for the whole project is estimated to be around 310 million US dollars (equivalent to 34 billion Yen) and the vessel is expected to be launched in 2026.
The ship will give to JAMSTEC the possibility to undertake new studies on the Artic’s climate, environment and natural resources, becoming a crucial tool for studying the effects that climate change is having on the region.
Source: Offshore Energy - Jamstec