The Dutch shipbuilder "Damen Shipyards Gorinchem" has been commissioned for the construction of the Simon Stevin, the ultramodern research vessel that will replace the "Zeeleeuw". The Flemish government gave its final approval on 5 August 2010, after which the order for the construction could be given. The ship will have a length of 36 m, a width of 9 m and a draught of 3 m. With its maximum speed of 12 knots, it will be used for marine scientific research in Belgian waters. According to the information provided by the shipyard the vessel could be completed by mid-2012.

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Source: VLIZ

(17/08/10)