The hull of the new French polar logistics vessel L'Astrolabe is seen here at Kiel during a layover while en route from the hull's builders, CRIST shipyard of Gdynia, Poland, to outfitters Chantiers Piriou, Concarneau, France.

The ship is planned to replace the current L'Astrolabe (8418198), serving Antartica from Hobart, Tasmania.

The tug is the veteran German Ems Pull (7017909).

details:
polar logistics vessel
dimensions: 72 x 16 metres
owners: TAAF (French Southern and Antarctic Lands administration); IPEV (Polar Institute Paul Émile Victor); French Navy
pennant no.: P800
hull builders: CRIST (Gdynia; Poland)
outfitting: Chantiers Piriou (Concarneau; France)
design: Aker Arctic (Finland)

planned deployment: Indian Ocean in 2017; supply missions to Dumont d'Urville Station (Adélie Land; Antarctica) from 2018