Largest Norwegian Research Project Launched

Polar research ship 'Crown Prince Haakon'.Photo: Gunnar Sætra / Havforskningsinstituttet / NTB scanpix

Monday, August 6, the RV Kronprins Haakon, the new Norwegian ice-breaking polar research ship named after HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, began her maiden voyage at mapping Norway’s Arctic waters.

 

Hailed as the largest research vessel of its kind in the world, the new, NOK 1.4B RV Kronprins Haakon has set a course towards the frigid waters east of Svalbard with an agenda of documenting & better understanding the ocean’s ecosystems.

BARENTS SEA
Dubbed “Arven etter Nansen” or Nansen Legacy project, the research mission is designed to generate an intense knowledge of Arctic marine areas and provide a
better scientific basis for ocean management.

The Nansen Legacy project is Norway’s largest marine research project; with 10 Norwegian research institutions joining together to study the complex interactions of ecosystems within the northern Barents Sea.

The project carries a budget of NOK 740M.

“Nansen Legacy is a tremendously important project,” said Norwegian Minister of Education & Research Torbjørn Røe Isaksen. “I’m pleased that all of the central
Norwegian research institutions in this field are joining forces to ensure sound development in the north.’ –

“This is important for industrial development in the Arctic, for Norway’s reputation in polar & Arctic research and, not least, for Norway’s position as a responsible keeper of the High North,” said Isaksen.

BEST IN THE WORLD
The 11,000-tonne heavy and 100-meter-long ship is described as the largest research vessel in the world. Director Sissel Rogne at the Polar Institute of Northern Light gave comment of the ship, saying “It’s one of the world’s best ships for measuring environmental change.’ –

“Through the new information we’ll receive from the research pointers, we will ensure that the seas maintain their quality for both oil & fishing.”

285 MISSIONS
The keel for the new Norwegian polar research vessel was laid September 2nd, 2015.The ship was launched March 3rd, 2017 and delivered in April, 2018.The
funding for the research vessel was approved by the Norwegian Parliament in the 2013 budget.

Norway’s Nansen Legacy Project slates an itinerary of 285 expeditions for the RV Kronprins Haakon oceanology research vessel between years 2018-2022.

 

© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today