The Only 3D/4D Geophysical Survey Research Vessel in Korea, Tamhae 3ho, Completes Warranty Repairs at Yeongdo Shipyard
KIGAM: "Fully Satisfied with Outstanding Performance and Thorough Repairs, Ready to Perfectly Carry Out Exploration Missions"
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (CEO Yoo Sangcheol) has been garnering attention for receiving high praise for its quality and after-sales service through the regular warranty repair of the Tamhae 3ho, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources' state-of-the-art 3D/4D Geophysical Survey Research Vessel.
The Tamhae 3ho, with a gross tonnage of 6,862 tons, is the only advanced 3D/4D geophysical survey research vessel in Korea capable of conducting subsea resource exploration in all marine areas worldwide, including continental shelves, open oceans, and polar regions.
The vessel can accommodate 50 crew members and operate at a maximum speed of 15 knots (28 km/h). With a cruising range of 36,000 km, it is a true "national flagship research laboratory at sea," capable of conducting research activities while traveling round-trip between the Arctic and Antarctic.
On March 20, the Tamhae 3ho entered the HJ Shipbuilding & Construction Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan for its regular warranty repair. HJ Shipbuilding & Construction’s technical staff meticulously inspected the hull bottom and exterior paint, shaft system, and addressed other crew inconvenience issues, carrying out various repairs and improvements over approximately 40 days.
Since its construction, the Tamhae 3ho has attracted attention for applying advanced technologies such as a polar navigation ice-strengthened hull, dynamic positioning control technology, and noise control and automatic navigation systems. The vessel is also equipped with an exceptionally high proportion of exploration equipment (over 50%) compared to other research vessels, in order to enhance the nation’s subsea resource exploration capabilities, making it one of the world’s top-tier research vessels.
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction signed a hull design and construction contract with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources in 2021 and began the project, with the vessel being launched and named in 2023. The Tamhae 3ho officially entered service in June 2023, and its first mission was to conduct a 3D seismic survey in the Gunsan Basin of the West Sea to identify promising subsea CO2 storage sites, aiming to contribute to carbon neutrality through climate change mitigation.
This year, after completing regular warranty repairs and refurbishment by HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, the vessel plans to secure information on rare earth element deposits in Pacific seafloor sediments and select candidate sites for precision exploration to develop rare earth resources.
Kim Jinho, Head of the Exploration Vessel Construction Project Group at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, stated, "As the only domestically registered geophysical survey research vessel in Korea, the Tamhae 3ho has proven its outstanding performance as a cutting-edge research vessel by successfully completing the 3D seismic survey mission in the Gunsan Basin of the West Sea after its commissioning. The operability of the research equipment is far superior to other research vessels, and the level of satisfaction in terms of crew accommodation and convenience is also high. Going forward, we will continue to enhance Korea’s national prestige through diverse and in-depth marine and geological resource research activities in all marine areas worldwide, including the polar regions."
Jinho Kim, Head of Exploration Vessel Construction Project Group at Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources.
Yoo Sangcheol, CEO of HJ Shipbuilding & Construction, said, "We have contributed to elevating the nation’s status by perfectly building world-class research vessels such as the Araon and Tamhae 3ho. We will continue to demonstrate our capabilities in the construction of next-generation icebreaking research vessels and other advanced, technology-intensive ships."
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