UMVA has learned that a revolutionary new research vessel, the RV11000, is set to transform the field of deep-sea exploration. This cutting-edge ship boasts an unprecedented combination of advanced technologies, making it a game-changer for scientists and researchers.
The RV11000 will join a growing fleet of research vessels, including the RV Hydra and RV Dagon. According to Rune Rødset, Senior Vice-President for Sales and Marketing at VARD, the ship's builder, "The RV11000 is not just another research vessel – it represents a new level of ambition in deep-sea exploration."
Developed by Vard Design in partnership with Inkfish and technical partner YTMC, the vessel is designed for a wide range of deep-ocean operations, including seabed mapping, sediment coring, and submarine support. Its capabilities will include launching and recovering submarines, operating remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) at extreme depths, and collecting sediment samples.
The RV11000 will feature advanced oceanographic instruments, including systems for measuring temperature, salinity, and pressure at depth. Additionally, it will have the largest battery installation ever fitted to a vessel, allowing for up to 12 hours of silent scientific operations powered entirely by battery systems.
The vessel's design is driven by scientific ambition and need, with a focus on delivering significantly greater capability, flexibility, and reach to enable science. Stu Buckle, responsible for new builds and special projects at Inkfish, said, "This next-generation vessel builds on earlier designs to deliver... strengthening our ability to support scientists and unlock new understanding of the ocean."
The RV11000 will accommodate up to 130 crew members and scientists, with most in single cabins. It will also include laboratories, workshops, and office facilities designed to support scientific research programs. The ship is intended to support a broad range of scientific missions, helping researchers explore previously uncharted regions of the ocean.
The vessel will be built through VARD's integrated production network, with the hull constructed in Romania before being fitted out and delivered from one of VARD's Norwegian facilities. Delivery of the RV11000 is scheduled for the first quarter of 2030.
