Ulstein delivers Arctic-ready Polarcus Adira seismic vessel
ULSTEINVIK, Norway – Shipbuilder Ulstein shipyard delivered the seismic research vessel Polarcus Adira with 3D 12-14 streamer capability to marine geophysical company Polarcus. This is the eighth seismic vessel in Polarcus’ fleet with Ulstein’s SX134 design.
The Polarcus Adira has a length of 92 m and a breadth of 21 m. The ship has a towing pull of 82 tons in seismic operations and a maximum speed of 17 knots. The vessel will commence her first seismic acquisition charter for TGS-NOPEC offshore Norway shortly after delivery.
The Polarcus Adira is an arctic-ready vessel designed and built for operations in arctic waters. She carries the ICE-1A and Winterized Basic notations from DNV, and can operate in first-year ice of up to 1-m thickness without the assistance of icebreakers. The entire vessel is ice-reinforced with thicker ribs and skin plates. The Polarcus Adira has de-icing and ice-preventing systems at critical tanks and pipelines, and propellers, gears and thrusters are dimensioned for withstanding operations in ice. Escape corridors and rescue equipment are also protected against icing during arctic operations.
A number of environmental initiatives have been taken when designing and building the Polarcus Adira. The vessel’s double hull and its advanced bilge water cleaning system and ballast water treatment system reduce emissions to water down to a minimum. The vessel runs on marine gas oil (MGO) with low sulphur content and has high specification exhaust catalysts, which clean the exhaust before it is emitted to air. The Polarcus Adira is also equipped with a diesel electric propulsion system. The vessel’s X-Bow hull line design reduces fuel consumption, and therefore, air emissions.
08/06/2012