Rongcheng Shipbuilding, Hankookmade, Wuchan Shipbuilding Industry, Hitzler Schiffswerft, or Guangzhou Shipyard are among the names attached to a growing fleet of fifty oceanographic vessels currently under construction worldwide.
Though exotic names fill the roster, the recurring players from Asia bring familiar brands to the forefront: Freire Shipyard in Vigo, also known as Construcciones Navales Paulino Freire, and Astilleros Armón. The two yards sit mere meters apart, already tied to seven contracts in this specialized field. Eight, when the production of a small scientific ship assembled by Rodman Polyships is counted. The Galician navy stands out as a central hub for these cutting edge orders.
The most recent development emerged just days ago. Guided by the brothers Guillermo and Marcos, the century-old Freire Shipyard signed a new contract to build a research vessel for the Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer, Ifremer. This French institute, the maritime research counterpart to Spain’s IEO, has its renewal plans confirmed by industry sources through Prensa Ibérica network channels.
As part of this renewal, commissions are also awarded to local firms like Plasti Pêche and Chantiers Piriou. The Ifremer fleet comprises 17 active units, including deep sea vehicles, coastal and shore platforms, and underwater robots capable of descending to depths of 6,000 meters. At 40 meters in length and 10 meters in beam, the coastal oceanographic vessel Freire will undertake a prominent role. Ifremer operates six similar platforms, though one model from 2007 barely reaches ten meters, while the remainder average more than thirty years in age. The 1978 CMM construction in Cherbourg marked a historical tide in this field. Vigo’s forthcoming project is set to use diesel-electric propulsion for enhanced efficiency.
Beyond this contract, Freire Shipyard is also advancing a project for the North American Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, MBARI. The ship, with a budget of around 50 million, will replace older vessels, taking a 50-meter length and 13-meter width footprint and is slated for delivery in the near future.
In recent months, the market has seen activity across Europe and beyond. Teams in Belgium, and in the Atlantic regions, have stepped into the mix with notable repair and upgrading work. The Sarmiento de Gamboa, among others, has seen renewed commitments, while Freire’s ships have historically been operated by foreign research bodies. Several vessels handed to the CSIC in 2006 highlight this international collaboration pattern.
Research Portfolio
Freire Shipyard continues its oceanography work with the upcoming ship for Ifremer being a highlight for Vigo’s shipbuilding line. The Armon Vigo operation recently delivered a 40-meter vessel to the Azores Government and maintains a broader portfolio serving the Netherlands, New Zealand, Iceland, and Spain through IEO platforms.
Rodman Polyships has a project in the works for the University of Vigo Marine Research Center, a roughly 20-meter vessel designed around a hybrid propulsion system.
Orders from Abroad
The current trend shows a heavy reliance on international collaboration, with many orders fulfilled by assembly groups across borders. A notable exception is Armón Vigo winning an Ifremer-linked project. This group holds a strong track record with five research requests completed rapidly, underscoring its operational strength in the global market.
The Azores project represents another major order, a 40-meter platform tendered by the Direção Regional das Pescas and intended for replacement of an older unit in the archipelago. The vessel measures about 11 meters in beam and accommodates up to 30 crew members, built to Rodman Polyships specifications for fiberglass reinforced polyester construction. The Azores project aligns with Armón Vigo’s capabilities in delivering specialized, ocean-going platforms.
The Vigo shipyard previously signed an 80-meter project for the Netherlands, though that award met pushback from Dutch shipbuilding interests, and a 36-meter-class vessel for Iceland’s Hafrannsóknastofnun plus the NIWA in New Zealand. The Beiramar facility houses the largest capacity in the country to fulfill such orders, including projects formerly managed by Barreras. The plan continues with drafts for future fernship allocations to be delivered to carriers like Baleària or scallop fishing fleets through niche shipping arrangements. Freire Shipyard remains a central actor in aligning the French oceanographic complex with recent work associated with industry leaders like David Packard of Briggs Marine Environmental Services, alongside two superyachts, lengths at 111 and 107 meters.
In the broader market for research ships, the Galician shipbuilding sector has proven its mettle worldwide. The European Maritime Board notes that many European vessels are over 30 years old, signaling a push for renewal and modernization. The European Commission’s emphasis on marine research funding provides a favorable backdrop for Vigo’s naval industry, supporting continued growth and capability upgrades.
Return Home for “C-724”
It was just past noon on Tuesday when the C-724 project began to move from the Metalships & Docks yard back to the San Gregorio armament dock. The vessel, measuring 111 meters, is the largest commissioned by the Spanish Navy. While some painting and finishing work remains in Teis, all major construction phases have progressed toward completion.
The blueprint for the Azores project, the Armón vessel, is highlighted in the latest preview materials, illustrating the center’s ongoing commitment to expanding its offshore research and service capabilities. The work marks a continued era of collaboration between Vigo’s shipyards and international science programs, strengthening Galicia’s role in global oceanography and environmental monitoring.