Breaking news
Piriou Delivers French Polar Logisitcs Support & Patrol Vessel L'Astrolabe.
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Naval Industry News - France
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Piriou Delivers French Polar Logisitcs Support & Patrol Vessel L'Astrolabe
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PIRIOU group, the French Southern and Antarctic Territories (TAAF), the French Polar Institute Paul-Emile Victor (IPEV) and the French Navy (Marine Nationale) held the christening ceremony of L'Astrolabe, France's new Polar Logistic Support Vessel (Navire Logistique Polaire or PLV) on July 12th in Concarneau.
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 L'Astrolabe PLV, France's new Polar Logistic Support Vessel. Picture: Piriou |
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In June 2015, French Minister of Overseas announced that a 50 Millions Euros contract was awarded to Piriou shipyard for the construction of one PLV. This contract was awarded through the collaboration between several French ministries: Overseas, research and defense. The PLV will replace the existing L'Albatros patrol vessel and L'Astrolabe ice breaker.
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 L'Astrolabe PLV, France's new Polar Logistic Support Vessel. Picture: Piriou |
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The PLV will be based on Reunion island and is expected to be shared between the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) administration, the French National Antarctic Program (IPEV) and the French Navy.
Missions: - Logistics and support of scientific bases in Antarctica during the austral summer (120 days a year, from October to March). From Australia, they will be led by the French Polar Institute Paul-Emile Victor to whom the TAAF have delegated these missions; - Sovereignty missions, especially in the exclusive economic zones of the French Southern Territories, carried out by the French Navy (245 days a year). |
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 Christening ceremony of L'Astrolabe PLV. |
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The PLV will be based on Reunion island and is expected to be shared between the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) administration, the French National Antarctic Program (IPEV) and the French Navy.
The ship will sail to the Indian Ocean in autumn 2017 and the Antarctic Ocean in the winter 2017 for a first refueling campaign of the French polar bases |
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 Artist impression of L'Astrolabe PLV, France's new Polar Logistic Support Vessel. Picture: Piriou |
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The PLV is a logistics ship and patrol icebreaker, with an overall length of 72 meter and width of 16 meters that can accommodate up to 60 people on board, carrying 1,200 tons of cargo and accomodate one helicopter.
Classified as ICE BREAKER 5, it is designed to navigate continuously in a layer of 60 to 80 cm thick ice. Its high fuel and food autonomy will enable it to carry out missions lasting 35 days at 12 knots. Its helicopter platform, 35-ton crane and rear gantry provide a real versatility, including for scientific operations. The Astrolabe will be a vessel belonging to the French Navy's fleet as a "polar patrol boat". |
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