Damen Shipyards has floated out a new Antarctic supply research vessel (ASRV) named RSV Nuyina, which is currently being constructed at its facility in Galati, Romania.

The 160m-long vessel is currently being built for Serco subsidiary DMS Maritime on behalf of the Australian Department of the Environment and Energy.

During the two-day-long float-out process, Damen increased the dry dock water level by 6m.

Once afloat, RSV Nuyina was manoeuvred 250m to a quayside berth to carry out further construction and the outfitting process.

Damen Shipyards Galati managing director Rino Brugge said: “We still have a long way to go until final delivery, but this float-out once again highlights the extraordinary capability we have for building extremely complex high-end vessels for the broadest range of maritime clients, including commercial operators as well as government and naval contracts.”

Following the completion, RSV Nuyina will be able to perform a number of tasks such as supplying cargo, equipment and personnel to Australia’s three permanent research stations on the Antarctic continent and a research station on Macquarie Island.

The vessel will also accommodate a research laboratory for up to 116 scientific experts.

In August last year, Damen began the construction of the vessel, which will now be equipped with pre-fabricated superstructure blocks to complete its full ten-deck height of over 50m.

Apart from Damen Shipyards Galati, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in the Netherlands is involved in the construction of RSV Nuyina.

Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding is offering the engineering and project management services, while Damen Shipyards Galati is building and outfitting the vessel.