On Friday 21 October 16:00, the new Flemish research vessel "Simon Stevin" has been launched in Galati (Roemenia). The body of the vessel - in the near future replacing the current "R/V Zeeleeuw" - will be shipped to the yard of Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam (part of the Damen Shipyards Group) in The Netherlands, to be completed there.

The delivery of the "Simon Stevin" is expected for halfway 2012, whereupon the ship will operate from the harbour of Ostend (Belgium) to perform scientific cruises, organised by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) in partnership with the Flemish shipowner DAB Fleet. The ship is more than 36m long, 9.4m wide and draws 3 meter. More images of the construction and launch can be found in the VLIZ photo gallery > R/V Simon Stevin.