The “Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional” (BRIN), Indonesia national agency for research and innovation, has commissioned the French shipbuilder PIRIOU to design and build two research vessels intended to strengthen Indonesia’s oceanographic capabilities: a multi-mission offshore hydro-oceanographic vessel (ORV–Ocean Going Research Vessel) and a coastal research vessel (CRV–Coastal Research Vessel).
Piriou press release
The order was officially signed on 11 June 2026 during a ceremony held in Indonesia, attended by representatives of BRIN, Stéphane BURGAUD, PIRIOU’s Commercial Director, and the project’s institutional partners.
Both vessels will be built by PIRIOU VIETNAM, the Group’s industrial subsidiary in Southeast Asia, and will benefit from PIRIOU’s recognized expertise in the construction of highly sophisticated scientific and hydrographic vessels.
The project forms part of KRisNa (Kapal Riset Nasional – National Research Vessel), a strategic programme designed to strengthen Indonesia’s oceanographic research capabilities in response to major challenges related to climate change, marine biodiversity and the sustainable management of ocean resources. Indonesia is also set to host the Ocean Impact Summit 2026 in Bali later this year.
The project is financed with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD), illustrating the scientific, maritime and industrial cooperation between France and Indonesia, a strategic partnership recently reinforced through bilateral exchanges between the two countries.
Two Multi-Mission Scientific Vessels Serving Indonesian Oceanographic Research
The future ORV will enable BRIN to conduct offshore scientific campaigns throughout Indonesian waters and the Natuna Sea (South China Sea). Designed for multidisciplinary missions, the vessel will enhance Indonesia’s capabilities in hydrography, physical and chemical oceanography, marine geology and geophysics, sediment sampling, physicochemical water characterization, scientific analysis, and the observation of marine ecosystems and climate change impacts.
The CRV will complement this scientific capability by supporting coastal operations and regional research missions, particularly in Indonesian waters and across Southeast Asia. Both vessels will be equipped with state-of-the-art scientific systems, including multibeam bathymetric survey equipment and, for the ORV, a high-resolution sub-bottom profiler for sediment layer characterization. An Ultra-Short Baseline (USBL) acoustic positioning system will also be installed on both vessels, enabling the deployment and positioning of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) as well as unmanned systems such as USVs and AUVs. These
capabilities will support oceanographic sampling, environmental monitoring and observation missions, contributing to a better understanding of local biodiversity.
The selection of PIRIOU reflects the shipyard’s recognized expertise, as well as France’s leadership in the field of advanced scientific and hydrographic vessels. PIRIOU notably benefits from the experience gained during the construction of the BHO2M multi-mission hydro-oceanographic vessel for the Royal Moroccan Navy.
“This project represents a significant milestone in
the development of Indonesia’s maritime scientific capabilities. These new vessels will
enable BRIN to strengthen its oceanographic research missions and further contribute to
the understanding and preservation of marine ecosystems.”Arif Satria, Chairman of BRIN
“We are honoured by the trust placed in us
by BRIN and proud to contribute to this strategic programme alongside the Indonesian
authorities and AFD. This project highlights PIRIOU’s expertise in delivering complex
scientific vessels and our ability to support flagship maritime programmes worldwide,
contributing to national sovereignty and maritime capabilities.”Vincent Faujour, Chairman of PIRIOU
ORV – Ocean Going Research Vessel
- Multi-mission hydro-oceanographic research vessel
- Length overall: 74.80 m
- Beam: 14.05 m
- Draft: 4.50 m
- Gross tonnage: approximately 3,700 GT
- Diesel-electric propulsion
- Accommodation capacity: 46 persons
- Unlimited navigation
- Missions: hydrography, bathymetry, marine geology and geophysics, physical and
chemical oceanography, fisheries research, coring and environmental observation - Scientific equipment: multibeam echosounder, side-scan sonar, ADCP, CTD,
thermosalinograph, ROV capabilities and deployment of scientific workboats - Area of operation: Indonesian waters and the South China Sea
CRV – Coastal Research Vessel
- Multi-mission coastal research vessel
- Length overall: 30 m
- Beam: 8.20 m
- Draft: 2.20 m
- Gross tonnage: approximately 290 GT
- Accommodation: 6 crew members and 6 scientists
- Endurance: 10 days
- Unlimited navigation
- Steel hull / aluminium wheelhouse
- Missions: coastal scientific campaigns, hydrography, oceanography and
environmental observation - Area of operation: Indonesian coastal and regional waters throughout Asia