Freire will deliver the 50-meter-long ship to Abu Dabi in December

On Monday, February 28, the launch of a new oceanographic research ship, built by the shipyards Construcciones Navales P. Freire, S.A. (Freire Shipyard) for EAD (Environment Agency - Abu Dabi) took place in Vigo. The event was attended by several representatives of the company, led by Jesus, William and Mark Freire, who accompanied a delegation of the shipowner and monitoring teams.

The construction contract was signed in December 2020 and the work started six months later. According to a communication from the government of Abudabí, this is the construction of the most advanced research ship in the Middle East.

This state-of-the-art oceanographic design, designed entirely by the Freire shipyard, is intended to carry out advanced research in both deep and someras waters. To this end, it will have environmentally sustainable technologies that provide solutions for lower fuel consumption and reduced pollutant emissions, as well as allow for a quiet operation when navigating at low speed.

The vessel, which can accommodate 18 crew and 11 scientists, will be equipped with equipment of the most advanced technology available on the market that will enable it to meet the requirements of the various laboratories on board: fishing laboratory, chemical laboratory, biophysical laboratory, dry and wet laboratories, as well as a diving equipment space, among others. At the forefront of its type, this ship will help to develop and preserve Abu Dabi's natural resources and economy.

With this delivery, the shipyards founded by Paulino Freire strengthen their experience in the construction of oceanographic. They recently worked on such a ship for Belgium and are currently working on another for the United States. The Viguese shipyard has been chosen to make the first research ship the Americans charge outside the country.

At the moment, Freire has no new orders in the portfolio. Its staff is transforming the oceanographic Falkor Too, with the flag of the Caimanes Islands, and building two luxury megayates, both with more than 100 meters in length. Despite the instability of the sector in the Vigo era, it is one of the shipyards that maintain a higher rate of work.