Join our crew and become one of the 104,497 members that receive our newsletter.

New Expedition Support Vessel Combines Offshore Performance with a Touch of Luxury

New Expedition Support Vessel Combines Offshore Performance with a Touch of Luxury

Mike Schuler
Total Views: 111
March 14, 2013

The vessel design is the MT5006 ESV. Courtesy Marin Teknikk

Norwegian shipbuilder Kleven Maritime and designer Marin Teknikk have secured what they are calling a “landmark new contract” to design and build a high specification Expedition Support Vessel (ESV), specially designed for adventurers who will settle for nothing but the most luxurious digs.

The 107-meter ESV is custom designed for power and ruggedness while on long expeditions in rough water, but also features a number of luxurious extras typically reserved for superyachts, including a swimming pool and its own 21m tender boat on the bow.

“One year ago Marin Teknikk was contacted by the shipowners asking if we would design a so-called Expedition Support Vessel,” said Svein Rune Gjerde, CEO of Marin Teknikk.

Gjerde added: “This has been a different and interesting project for our design team. The knowledge underpinning the development of this vessel is much the same as it is for our successful offshore vessels, but new regulations and specifications have made this an exciting and challenging project.”

Ståle Rasmussen, CEO of Kleven, is also enjoying collaborating with Marin Teknikk on this unique newbuild.

“We have worked with Marin Teknikk for many years, developing numerous offshore vessels together, and the collaboration between us always works well,” said Rasmussen. “This vessel is a good example of our ability to develop and build specialized vessels and prototypes.”

The new vessel will accommodate 60 people and is also to be equipped with a helipad and helicopter hangar.

The owner of the vessel has not been identified (James Cameron?).

“Our first contact with the owners were back in end of April 2012. We got an anonymous request and we started to exchange information which soon ended up in meetings and design agreement”, says Richard K. Gjerde, Sales Director of Marin Teknikk. “We worked out 3 different concept studies before the final design was chosen and all details agreed.”

“The vessel shall be built according to the latest Passenger Yacht Code rules, adapted for larger yachts with more than 12 passengers. This work have been interesting and path-breaking due to fulfillment of all the different rules and new institutions to be involved. From the sales department point of view we see this as a new interesting reference for MT”, Gjerde added.

The ESV will be built at Kleven Verft in Ulsteinvik, Norway and is scheduled for delivery in December 2014.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up
Back to Main
polygon icon polygon icon

Why Join the gCaptain Club?

Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.

Sign Up
close

JOIN OUR CREW

Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 104,497 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.

Join Our Crew

Join the 104,497 members that receive our newsletter.