Aker BioMarine today takes delivery of its new support vessel Antarctic Provider, built by China’s CIMC Raffles Offshore Ltd. The vessel will set its course to Antarctica and commence service during first half of 2021.
Despite the challenging global environment and lockdown periods in 2020, the Antarctic Provider was finalized ahead of expectations. The vessel will replace Aker BioMarine’s existing support vessel, La Manche.
Antarctic Provider will transport krill products, crew, fuel and consumables between the harvesting vessels and Aker BioMarine's logistics hub in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Antarctic Provider offers several improvements and efficiencies to Aker BioMarine’s offshore operation. The offloading capacity more than doubles, reducing the number of sailings between the fishing ground and Montevideo. Faster cargo transshipment at sea increases number of available fishing days for the fishing vessels. The new support vessel will also improve flexibility and remove the current need for leasing extra support vessel capacity, altogether reducing support vessel unit costs approx. 30%. Moreover, service vessel fuel consumption per unit krill meal produced is estimated to be more than halved, reducing Aker BioMarine’s overall carbon footprint.
The 168-meter vessel is equipped with Wärtsilä 31, four-stroke diesel engine, combined with a hybrid propulsion system. The engine holds a Guinness World Record for fuel efficiency and is also convertible for future greener fuels. The vessel is enhanced with Dynamic Positioning (DP) capabilities, which prevents the need for anchoring during transshipment.
• The vessel is in full compliance with International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Polar Code, meeting requirements on hull strength and cold-proofing to combat the Antarctic climate
• It is outfitted with frequency-controlled thrusters, to avoid zero pitch loss and reduce underwater noise
• The vessel features four, high-capacity cargo holds (holding up to 40,000 cubic meters) plus moveable cranes on top of each cargo hold
• The vessel will carry Norwegian flag (NIS) and will be classified by DNVGL
With Antarctic Provider as the sole support vessel, the annual cash cost reduction is estimated to be about USD3-4m. The total capital expenditure for Antarctic Provider amounted to USD75m, in line with the budget. The vessel is 80% debt financed, including an ECA tranche from GIEK and Export Credit Norway.
For further information, please contact:
Katrin Berntsen, Director Communication
Mobile: +47 92 05 45 70
Email: katrin.berntsen@akerbiomarine.com
About Aker BioMarine
Aker BioMarine is a biotech innovator and Antarctic krill-harvesting company, dedicated to improving human and planetary health. The company develops krill-based ingredients for protein, nutraceutical, aquaculture, and animal feed applications. The company’s fully transparent value chain stretches from sustainable krill harvesting in pristine Antarctic waters through its Montevideo logistics hub, Houston production plant, and all the way to customers around the world.