MPOV Aiviq is a 110-metre US icebreaking tug and supply vessel operated by Edison Chouest. The word 'aiviq' means walrus in Iñupiaq, the language of the Alaskan Iñupiat people.

It was completed in 2012 in Louisiana, USA, to support planned arctic oil and gas exploration and production programs.

Specifications

  • Multi Purpose Offshore Vessel (MPOV)
  • ABS ice class A3
  • main engines: 4 x 12-cylinder Caterpillar C280-12 four stroke medium speed diesel engines, each producing 4,060 kW
  • length: 110 metres
  • breadth: 24 metres
  • capacity: 4128 tons (dead weight)
  • maximum open water speed: 15 knots
  • maximum icebreaking speed: 5 knots
  • 28 crew, 36 passengers

Antarctic service

The Australian Antarctic Division first chartered the Aiviq for the 2021/22 season. The Aiviq undertook two voyages south, refuelling Davis and Mawson and assisting with resupply and changeover of expeditioner teams. V6 also saw the deployment of argo floats, collecting measurements to help understand how and why the Southern Ocean is changing.

The Aiviq will form a large part of the 2022/23 shipping season, with RSV Nuyina's return from maintenance delayed due to a delay in receiving spare parts.

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