Rolls-Royce has been awarded a contract by shipbuilder Fincantieri to supply a fully integrated propulsion system for Norway’s new Polar Research Vessel, which will carry out significant environmental research at the North and South Poles.

The Rolls-Royce system includes gen sets with a power electric system, a range of thrusters and automation and control systems.

The vessel, to be named FF Kronprins Haakon, is a NVC 395 POLAR design from Rolls-Royce ordered by the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research. Detailed design will be carried out by Fincantieri. It is designed to operate through rough ice conditions, and will be equipped to cover a wide range of marine research operations, such as monitoring fishing stocks, metrological studies, seafloor sampling and mapping, the company informed.

John Knudsen, Rolls-Royce, President - Commercial Marine, said: “We have drawn on our expertise in both offshore and specialized ships to deliver a solution for a technology-intensive vessel that can operate in the harshest environments.

“We are delighted to be working with Fincantieri teams in Italy and Norway, to deliver this exciting project and continue the long and successful relationship between our companies.”

Rolls-Royce will supply 2 x Bergen B32:40L9ACD and 2 x Bergen B32:40L6ACD diesel gensets, together with a power electric system, azimuth main thrusters (of type US ARC 0.8) and Polar tunnel thrusters. A range of electrical systems will also be included.

Construction will take place at Fincantieri’s Integrated Shipyards Riva Trigoso-Muggiano, in Italy, before undergoing final outfitting activities in Norway.

The vessel is expected to be in operation from 2017.