Norway's Aker BioMarine has signed a memorandum of understanding with representatives from the China Overseas Development Administration (CODA) for a new krill support vessel.
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.
It will replace Aker BioMarine's existing transportation vessel La Manche.
Designed specifically to meet the unique demands of krill harvesting operations and to withstand challenging Antarctic conditions, the new vessel will feature an integrated cargo handling system, an efficient propulsion line with variable propeller, and an advanced heat recovery system.
