Flemish Minister of Innovation Ingrid Lieten (sp.a) and Minister of Mobility Hilde Crevits (CD&V) invest a total amount of 11.5 million euro in the construction of a new Flemish marine science research vessel. The new ship will be given the name Simon Stevin and will be completely state-of-the-art according to Lieten. It will be the most modern coastal research vessel in Europe.
Plans for the construction of a new research vessel, that is to replace the outdated Zeeleeuw, had been made as early as in 2007. The Dutch company Damen Shipyards has now been commissioned for the construction and can start the works immediately. The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) and the Flemish public service DAB Fleet will be responsible for the follow-up.
Flanders plays a pioneering role in the field of marine science. More than one hundred research groups and 1,500 scientists from different universities and scientific institutions are active in this field. They can call upon the Zeeleeuw for their scientific work, but that ship is outdated and needs to be replaced.
”The Simon Steven will be the most modern research vessel in Europe and will allow Flemish marine researchers to carry out their marine scientific research using the latest technologies", Lieten explains. “In this manner, Flanders will continue to play an important part in the field of research into climate change, sustainable fisheries, energy generation at sea and many other issues.” The ship will also be used for educational purposes. DAB Fleet, supervised by Minister Crevits, will man and maintain the vessel. It will be completed in early 2012.
Read more about the plans and the construction of the Simon Stevin
Contact:Andre Cattrijsse
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