Rapp Marine Group Signs Contract for New Australian Icebreaker

The PE fund Nord Kapitalforvaltning AS owned Rapp Marine Group is contracted to deliver a highly innovative and advanced package of electric deck machinery and handling systems for Australia’s new Antarctic Ice Breaker’s Scientific Research capability. The 156 meters long new icebreaker is referred to as a modern, sophisticated ship that will offer scientists unprecedented and extended access to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.

-This State-of-the-Art New Ice breaker is perceived as a global reference project in this segment. We are looking forward to delivering deck machinery to one of the most efficient and modern Icebreakers in the world, says a very pleased Jakob Nielsen, VP Sales, Rapp Marine Group.

A new era of Australian Antarctic scientific endeavor and leadership

-Replacing the Aurora Australis, which has been in service since 1989, the new icebreaker will be faster, larger, stronger and offer increased endurance, says Nielsen. - According to a fact sheet released by the Australian Antarctic Division, the new icebreaker will have an icebreaking capability of 1.65 meters at 3 knots compared to the existing vessel's 1.23 meters at 2.5 knots, he continues.

The vessel will supply Antarctic research stations with cargo, equipment and personnel, and will serve as a research ship with extensive laboratory facilities on board and a multi-beam bathymetric echo sounder to enable seafloor mapping.

Built by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding

The Australian Government signed the contract for Australia’s new icebreaker with the Australian company DMS Maritime Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Serco. The vessel will be designed and built by the Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding. The new icebreaker will form an integral part of the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) program for the next 30 years. The custom built research and supply ship is due to arrive in Australia, to its home port of Hobart, in mid-2020.

Rapp Marine Group in leadership

-We are grateful to the DMS Maritime and Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, for the confidence they have shown in us to supply the electric deck machinery for the new Australian Antarctic icebreaker, says Nielsen

-Once again the market confirms the company's strong position as a supplier of this type of equipment, and especially RMG's absolute leadership of the highly sophisticated and demanding research vessel market globally, he continues.

Busy autumn for Rapp Marine Group

- We are now starting full production of the two Chinese contracts that we won earlier this year, PRIC (Polar Research Institute of China) and GMGS (Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey). On top of this RMG announced a very busy autumn with seven new contracts for complete deck-machinery for seven new fishing vessels” says a very pleased CEO Rapp Marine, Helge Vatnehol.

Rapp Marine Group:

• The principal owners are the PE fund Nord Kapitalforvaltning AS
• Rapp Marine Group is a global supplier of advanced and innovative solutions of electric and hydraulic deck machinery fisheries, research, offshore and workboats.
• Rapp Marine Group is today one of the largest suppliers of electric and hydraulic deck machinery for fishing vessels and all types of research vessels.
• The company opened a new, modern mechanical workshop in Serbia in 2014.
• The head office, with management, engineering, project management, sales / marketing and other staff functions are located in Bodo. Beyond this, the company is represented with considerable operations in respectively the US and UK, as well as with a comprehensive service and agent network in all relevant regions.