Oslo – The Italian Ambassador to Oslo, Alberto Colella, took part in the inauguration ceremony of the “Crown Prince Haakon” on in Tromsø on November 17th. It is the most advanced polar icebreaker dedicated to research in the world and flagship of Norwegian scientific research, entirely manufactured in Italy by Fincantieri in the Muggiano shipyards (SP). Measuring 100 meters (330 feet) long and 21 meters (70 feet) wide, the ship can accommodate up to 55 people: scientists, researchers, students, and crew members. It has advanced research laboratories for oceanography, geophysics, marine biology, and marine geology. At sea for more than a year at a time, it has already completed a series of scientific missions to the Arctic, and is preparing to sail for a few weeks to Antarctica for a six-month mission. The ship was built in Italy, but the final installation took place at the VARD (also controlled by Fincanteri) in Norway, and delivered in March 2018.
