02/06/2026
🔥 Great news 💥
The subsidiary VARD has signed a new contract with Inkfish for the design and construction of one groundbreaking deep-sea research vessel, with an order value that amounts to nearly 700 million euros, representing the largest order ever secured by VARD for a single vessel, as well as the largest order of its kind for any Norwegian shipyard.
The vessel, project-named RV11000, is based on the VARD 9 42 design, with a length of 162 meters and a beam of 28 meters, and is scheduled for delivery in Q1 2030.
Developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway, in close collaboration with Inkfish, RV11000 is a tailor-made platform designed for seafloor mapping, coring and sampling, submarine operations, and ROV activities at depths of up to 11,000 meters. The vessel will feature one of the largest battery installations ever fitted on a ship, alongside a highly advanced propulsion system combining DC technology with battery hybrid solutions. The hull, optimized for high-performance seafloor mapping, will ensure excellent station-keeping and enhanced operational efficiency, while advanced stabilizers will minimize motion and accelerations. The unit will also be certified in accordance with the latest IACS cybersecurity requirements, ensuring a high level of resilience and protection of critical onboard systems against evolving digital threats.
Onboard facilities will include state-of-the-art laboratories, workshops, scientific spaces and high-level accommodation for up to 130 crew members and researchers. Together with VARD, which will manage the entire project, we will support the creation of unique platforms for the most demanding deep-sea applications reflecting our ability to design and deliver next-generation solutions for deep-sea exploration.
