MAN Diesel & Turbo has been selected to supply the main engines to a new, icebreaking, supply-and-research vessel for the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD).
Two 16V32/44CR main engines, each producing 9,600 kW, will be installed in the vessel. The ship is being procured by [ds_preview]Serco Defence through DMS Maritime (prime contractor) and will be designed and built by Damen Shipyards Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS). The handover to AAD is scheduled for April 2020.
The new icebreaker will succeed the old research vessel »Aurora Australis«. It will have greater icebreaking and cargo capacity and an increased endurance and operational flexibility. Futhermore a high standard of environmental performance and state-of-the-art research, rescue and resupply capabilities also characterize the newbuilding. Features onboard will include a moon pool, drop-keel, multi-beam bathymetric and scientific echo sounders, fisheries sonar systems, hydrophones and underwater cameras. These should support a wide range of scientific research in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.
SCR system for an environmentally friendly footprint
In addition to the engines and their related plant equipment, MAN Diesel & Turbo will also supply its in-house-designed SCR system. According to the company a special feature of the system is its communication with the engine control system that optimises the temperature for the SCR system at individual load-points.
