Iran set to build oceangoing research vessel in six months
Iran plans to complete an oceangoing research vessel in the next six months. Announcing the above, Managing Director of the Iranian National Institute for Oceanography (INIO) Vahid Chegini said Iranian experts are now designing, building and equipping an oceangoing research vessel “which will enjoy hi-tech research devices for conducting research missions in seas and oceans,” Iran Daily reported.
Chegini said that the construction of the vessel will be completed by the end of spring, Fars News Agency reported.
The official noted that the country will also unveil several books and software about oceanography soon.
“Several books and software on oceanography will be unveiled in Iran by the end of this year (the Iranian year ends on March 20, 2013),” Chegini told reporters in the southern city of Bushehr on Saturday.
Chegini had announced in August that the country is building an oceangoing research vessel to conduct exploratory missions in the South Pole.
He added that 35 percent of the construction of the 50-meter-long oceangoing research vessel have so far been completed.
“The Defense Industries Organization of the Iranian Defense Ministry started the construction of the vessel in the spring of 2011,” he said.
As regards Iran’s plan to set up a permanent Antarctic base, Chegini said Iran initially plans to dispatch its experts to the region through the assistance of countries that have already set up bases in the South Pole to gather experience and gain permission from international bodies for setting up a base in the Antarctic.
Also in August, Iranian lawmakers discussed a bill that requires the government to build oceangoing ships equipped with a special engine and fuel technology that allows the vessel to traverse thousands of miles without any need for refueling.
