Spain’s Astilleros Balenciaga expects to deliver a new fisheries research vessel to the Greenland Institute of Natural Sciences next year to replace the 1971-built former stern trawler Paamiut, which was converted into a research vessel nearly 30 years ago.

The new ship will measure 61.4m by 16m and make use of a MAN L27/38 main engine of 2,920kW output driving a five-bladed controllable-pitch propeller to give a service speed of 14 knots.

Accommodation will be arrange for 32 scientific personnel and crew while laboratories on board will be outfitted for examining both fish and shrimp while deck gear will be capable of pelagic as well as bottom sampling.