South Korea Launches First Domestically-Built Geophysical Research Vessel

Korean officials recently gathered at Pohang Yeongilman Port on May 31 to celebrate the commissioning of South Korea’s first domestically-built geophysical exploration research vessel, known as Tamhae 3. The project, which took eight years to complete, received a government investment exceeding $130 million for construction and outfitting.

Tamhae 3 was a collaborative effort between Norway’s Ulstein Design and Korea’s HJ Heavy Industries, with HJ Shipbuilding winning the contract to build the vessel at its Yeongdo Shipyard near Busan in 2021. The vessel, measuring approximately 300 feet (92 meters) and weighing 6,926 tons, was floated for the first time in July 2023.

Equipped with Ulstein’s patented X-Bow, Tamhae 3 is designed to conduct various exploration and research projects both domestically and internationally. With accommodations for 50 crew members, the vessel has an operating range of 20,000 nautical miles at a speed of 15 knots and features side thrusters and a dynamic positioning system for efficient operations. It replaces the earlier Tamhae 2 and is poised to enhance South Korea’s research capabilities, including exploration of the continental shelf and seabed, as well as potential projects in carbon capture and storage.

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