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Damen Shipyards Galati has held the launching ceremony of the Antarctic Supply Research Vessel (ASRV) in the presence of members of Australian government, SERCO, Damen Group and Damen Schelde Naval.

Given the vessel’s size, the launching specifically consisted in raising the water level in the yard’s dock by six meters, so that after two full days the process was completed and RSV “Nuyina” was maneuvered 250 meters to a quayside berth where the ongoing construction and outfitting will take place.

The ceremony was attended by Matt Cahill, Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Energy, Mark Irwin, CEO Serco Defense, Joop Noordijk, Project Director DSNS, Rene Berkvens, CEO Damen Shipyards Group, Roland Briene, Sales Director Asia Pacific Damen Group and the entire management team of Damen Galati.

Talking about the cooperation between DSNS and Damen Galati, the two sister yards involved in the building of ASRV, Damen Project Director, Joop Noordijk, said: “This project is benefiting from the great collaborative relationship between these two sister companies – one that has been built up during the building of seven previous vessels for the Royal Netherlands Navy.”

“This is a great achievement for all involved,” said Rino Brugge, Managing Director Damen Shipyards Galati. “We still have a long way to go until final delivery, but this float-out once again highlights the extraordinary capability we have for building extremely complex high-end vessels for the broadest range of maritime clients – including commercial operators as well as government and naval contracts.”

Deputy Secretary, Matt Cahill, stated: “RSV “Nuyina” is the biggest single investment of the Australian government in its Antarctic programme which will allow us to answer the big questions of today and tomorrow. With her cutting edge technology, the vessel will allow us to do science we previously only dreamt about.”

Rene Berkvens, CEO Damen Shipyards Group, stated: “ASRV is a truly unique vessel and a challenging project, the most complex vessel ever built in Damen Galati and in Romania. I would like to congratulate AAD, Serco, the shipyard and all of you, designers, engineers, welders, painters, everybody for your hard work. Today we put water under the vessel’s keel and hope and wish to remain so for all of her life.”