HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES

- Opens a new era in the exploration of marine resources by building a high-tech research vessel for Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)

(From the left) Yoo Sang-cheol (CEO of HJSC), Kang Gyeong-seong (2^nd Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy), Kim Yoon-mi (a senior researcher from KIGAM), Dr. Pyeong-Koo Lee (President of KIGAM)

On July 6, HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) held a christening ceremony for the high-tech 3D/4D geophysical exploration research vessel ordered by Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM).

The ceremony was held at Yeongdo Shipyard with the attendance of about 200 officials including Kang Gyeong-seong (2^nd Vice Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy), Dr. Pyeong-Koo Lee (President of KIGAM) and Yoo Sang-cheol (CEO of HJSC). According to the custom, it was launched by Kim Yoon-mi, a female senior researcher from KIGAM, and named ‘The TAMHAE 3’. 

As the nation’s only geophysical exploration research vessel ‘The TAMHAE 2’ became obsolete, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KIGAM have worked on securing a next-generation high-tech 3D/4D geophysical exploration research vessel since 2016. In 2021, HJSC was named for this project. The vessel was being built in HJSC’s Yeongdo Shipyard for about 2 years and is finally ready to be launched.

The 6,000-ton TAMHAE 3 (92m in length, 21m in width) is the nation’s first multi-purpose geophysical exploration vessel which features high-performance 3D & 4D research equipment. This high-tech, high value-added ship can explore oceans and polar regions as well as the continental shelf. It is able to handle 3D and 4D geophysical explorations to examine marine energy resources and fault.

In particular, this new vessel is capable of deploying 8 seismic streamers of up to 6km in length. It also features seabed seismic exploration and high-resolution 4D monitoring. It can travel up to 36,000km at 15 knots (28km/h) with 50 crews, which means that it is possible to cover both the North and South Poles.

The global shipbuilder has devoted all its energy to building the TAMHAE 3 with cutting-edge technologies such as ice-class hull for polar sailing, dynamic positioning system (DPS), noise control and auto-navigation system.

An official from HJSC said, “The TAMHAE 3 can cover all sea areas around the world. Therefore, it will be the state-of-the-art geophysical exploration research vessel which could upgrade Korean seabed seismic exploration.” He continued, “We are going to make a contribution to improving national reputation through the perfect completion of the world-class special purpose ships from the icebreaker research vessel ‘ARAON’ to the TAMHAE 3.”

The TAMHAE 3 will be ready at Yeongdo Shipyard and handed over to KIGAM after sea trials.