The 47-year-old South African polar research and training vessel S.A. Agulhas is to be reconditioned by German firm J*S Maritime for cruise and charter work.
SHIPSPOTTING/MNJ
The former South African polar research and training vessel S.A. Agulhas has been acquired by German firm J*S Maritime, which plans to completely refurbish the 47-year-old ship at a cost of $55 million and charter her out for research missions and polar cruises.
Completed in Japan during 1978 as a supply vessel for the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), the 112m by 18m ship was taken over by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in 2012 for training purposes, but was retired six years ago because of mounting maintenance and repair costs. The 6,123gt vessel regularly visited South Africa’s base on Antarctica, and research stations on Gough Island and Marion Island.