HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES

- A contract signed with Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) for building a 6,000-tonne submarine exploration research vessel; HHIC’s excellence in special-purpose vessels proven again
- Expected to open a new era in the exploration of marine mineral resources with the next-generation, high-performance state-of-the-art research vessel
 

((Right) President & CEO of HHIC Lee Byung-mo, (Middle) Head of Resources Security Policy Dept.,

Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Seon-gi, (Right) President of KIGAM Kim Bok-chul)

HANJIN Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC) won a bid for a state-of-the-art 3D/4D marine geophysical exploration research ship ordered by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM).

The global shipbuilding company announced that it has proven its excellence in special-purpose vessels again by signing the KRW 167.7 billion contract for building the 3D/4D marine geophysical exploration research ship.

The signing ceremony for the contract was held on the 28th day of last month with the presence of President & CEO of HHIC Lee Byung-mo, Head of Resources Security Policy Dept., Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Seon-gi and President of KIGAM Kim Bok-chul.

The 92m-long, 21m-wide 6,000-tonne research vessel is a state-of-the-art geophysical exploration research ship designed for 3D marine geophysical exploration and 4D marine seismic exploration. This vessel would explore marine energy and geology around the globe including the polar region. It is able to sail up to 15 knots (28km/h) with 50 crews. The cruising range is as large as nearly 36,000km so that it can visit the South and North Poles at a time.

Right now, TAMHAE II, a 2,000-tonne seismic research vessel, is the only marine geophysical exploration research ship the Republic of Korea has. Since 1996, it has performed a wide variety of marine resource and geological researches. As it becomes outdated, however, there have been a lot of difficulties in such explorations. Therefore, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KIGAM has promoted the construction of a state-of-the-art marine geophysical exploration research vessel since 2016.

The new exploration research ship would feature a marine seismic streamer (6km x 8) designed to detect sound wave reflected by surfaces, a key element in 3D exploration. This high-tech vessel is capable of marine seismic exploration and even high-resolution 4D monitoring.  

HHIC targets to adopt various cutting-edge engineering technologies to build the best marine geophysical exploration research ship such as dynamic positioning which maintains a vessel’s position automatically, sound control technology to eliminate any obstacles in the reception of sound waves and autopilot and global positioning system (GPS) as well as ice-strengthening performances for polar sailing.

The KIGAM anticipates that once the seismic research vessel is built, it would lift the country’s marine resource exploration technology to a higher level by broadening the sphere of the development of mariner resources in the continental shelf and polar region.

An official from HHIC said, “Based on our extensive knowhow and advanced technologies we have accumulated over the years by building special-purpose vessels such as the ARAON, the first Korean-made icebreaking research vessel, and state-of-the-art exploration ships, we are going to make a contribution to an increase in the country’s reputation through the construction of the world’s best marine geophysical exploration research ship.”

Meanwhile, the multinational shipbuilder aims to build the 3D/4D marine geophysical exploration research vessel in its Yeongdo Shipyard and hand it over to the KIGAM by 2024.