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Aging Arctic researcher still going strong

The "Johan Hjort" has been an important vessel for Norwegian Arctic researchers since it was built in 1990.

Norwegian research vessel ”Johan Hjort” has crisscrossed Arctic waters for more than two decades. Take a closer look at one of Norway’s key instruments for mapping of Arctic ecosystems.

Location

The ”Johan Hjort” has served the researchers of the Institute of Marine Research since it was built and put on the water in 1990. The vessel, which is named after the first director of the institute, is 64 meter long and has a deadweight of 1851 tons.

Although not ice-protected, the vessel has a design which enables the researchers to operate in all weather and all year-round.

As previously reported, the ”Johan Hjort” was one of three Norwegian vessels taking part in this autumn’s marine research expeditions in the Barents Sea.

Norway is in the process of renewing its fleet of marine research vessels. The new ”FF Kronprins Haakon” is under construction by the Italian Fincantieri yard. The ship will be one of the world’s most advanced research ships and has a price tag of as much as €175 million. It is to be ready for operations in 2017. In addition, Norway is build another new ship to be named ”Fridtjof Nansen”. This ship will cost about €55 million and be completed in 2016.