New Zealand Minister of Defence Ron Mark has announced the purchase of the 85-metre Edda Fonn, a 15-year-old survey and light construction vessel from Norwegian firm Østensjø Rederi, as the replacement for decommissioned dive tender HMNZS Manawanui and hydrographic survey ship HMNZS Resolution.
The new ship will be renamed HMNZS Manawanui, the fourth RNZN ship to bear that name.
Edda Fonn was chosen as the most suitable option from a list of 150 vessels reviewed.
Owner Østensjø Rederi will undertake the first RNZN-required modifications before the ship sails for New Zealand in March 2019.
Once commissioned in New Zealand, HMNZS Manawanui will have final modifications and is expected to be in service by November 2019. The budget for the project is NZ$103 million (US$69 million).
