Britain's Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has been given the go-ahead by the British government to build a humongous ship that will take to the Antarctic and Arctic to conduct polar research and experiments in the Arctic and Antarctic. The as-yet-unnamed ship will cost $336 million to build.
The giant polar research ship will be 129.6 meters long, will be able to displace 14,098 tons of water and will have 4,200 cubic meters of cargo space. It will be fitted with ice-breaking equipment that will allow it to plow its way through ice up to 2 meters thick. Its bright-red hull will be home to 60 scientists and support staff.
Once the ship enters service in 2019, it will be the most advanced research ship in the world with modular laboratories, environmental monitoring systems for studying the air, deep water and the seabed, a helideck and a hangar for deploying helicopters. It will also be able to act as a central hub from which autonomous ocean vehicles, drones, robotic submarines and underwater gliders can be controlled.
Behemoth Polar Ships
This British Ship Will Be the World's Most Advanced Research Vessel
Trend Themes
1. Polar Research - Opportunities for companies to invest in advancing technology and equipment for polar research and experimentation, including autonomous ocean vehicles and drones.
2. Modular Laboratories - The development and implementation of modular laboratory design in the field of polar research for increased efficiency and flexibility in experimentation.
3. Autonomous Ocean Vehicles - Advancements in technology and innovation around autonomous ocean vehicles, submarines and underwater gliders in support of oceanographic research.
Industry Implications
1. Research and Development - Opportunities for companies specializing in the research and development of new technologies and equipment for polar research and exploration.
2. Maritime Shipping - Companies involved in the design and construction of maritime vessels, particularly those with advanced ice-breaking capabilities and auxiliary equipment for scientific research.
3. Environmental Monitoring - Opportunities for companies to develop environmental monitoring systems for studying air, deep water and the seabed, as well as software and hardware to facilitate data collection and analysis.