Azores Ocean: the new Armon‑built research vessel powered by Guascor Energy

Just a few days ago, the Azores Ocean, a new vessel built for the Direção Regional das Pescas de Azores (Portugal), was successfully launched.

During its initial sea trials, the ship, built by Armon, has been sailing along the estuary and behind the Cíes Islands, close to Vigo (Galicia, Spain), showcasing its nearly 46‑metre length and excellent performance in open waters.

For Guascor Energy, this vessel represents a major milestone due to the complexity of the project and the engineering effort required to develop a solution that minimises atmospheric emissions. Our engineering team has also worked intensively on reducing noise and vibration transmitted to the hull and, consequently, to the marine environment.

Designed to accommodate 20 crew members, the vessel features a diesel‑electric propulsion system powered by three Guascor Energy SF360TA‑SG engines, each rated at 800 kWe, reaching a total installed power of 2.4 MWe. The propulsion plant complies with IMO Tier III requirements thanks to an integrated SCR after‑treatment system that significantly reduces emissions.

The engines are mounted on a double bedplate with dual elastic suspension, a configuration engineered to minimise vibrations and noise, meeting the stringent ICES 209 underwater acoustic standards.

With an operational autonomy of 15 days, the vessel is prepared for extended missions in remote areas. It is also equipped with advanced electronic acoustic systems capable of conducting research at depths of up to 5,000 metres, greatly enhancing the scientific and operational capabilities of the institution.