Inkfish Partners with Vard for a Record-Breaking €700M Marine Research Vessel Construction

In a landmark partnership, Inkfish, a marine research organization co-founded by Oceanco owner and tech visionary, Gabe Newell, has commissioned a 162-meter research vessel from Vard, a leading Norwegian shipyard. This endeavour, costing almost €700 million and named RV11000, sets both a record for Vard for the most significant contract ever secured for a single vessel and for any Norwegian shipyards for the most considerable order of its kind. Drawing on the engineering prowess of Inkfish’s 100-meter RV6000, RV11000 is a tour de force in marine research technology. Pairing Vard design with technical partner YTMC, additional support from Fincantieri Group, and Inkfish’s knowledge, this vessel is specifically tailored to oceanic research activities. Its capabilities encompass seafloor mapping, handling submarines and conducting ROV operations at depths up to a staggering 11,000 meters. In order to facilitate such state-of-the-art research, the RV11000 is equipped with a gamut of onboard features. Among these are a stern-mounted A-frame system for submarine launch and recovery, a dedicated ROV hangar, and a fibre-rope lifting system with an impressive 15,000-meter capacity. Her hull has been optimized to deliver top-notch seabed mapping performance and her accommodation is set to house 130 crew members and scientists, alongside expansive facilities and working spaces tailored for marine research. The RV11000 is also fitted with a record-breaking battery installation, enabling up to 12 hours of silent scientific sub operations. As a nod to the tech-forward ethos of the organization, it meets the latest IACS cybersecurity requirements to ensure protection against digital threats. This vessel propels marine research into a new age of discovery and exploration. Inkfish’s commitment to unveiling the deep-sea mysteries aligns seamlessly with Vard’s proven shipbuilding expertise. The RV11000 encapsulates the collective vision of these pioneering entities to enable scientists to reveal previously uncharted marine terrains and usher in groundbreaking scientific discoveries. As Stu Buckle, new builds and special projects at Inkfish, affirms, this next-generation vessel offers ‘greater capability, flexibility and reach to enable science,’ pushing the boundaries of marine research and serving as a testament to human innovation and aspiration.