CAPE TOWN - South Africa's new polar research and supply vessel, the SA Agulhas II, is ready for polar ice trials in Finland's Bay of Bothnia in the coming weeks, it was announced on Tuesday.

"The aim of this program is to create and improve a scientific basis for design of ice-going ships including factors such as the hull, propulsion, power requirement, comfort for passengers and crew on board and safe navigation in ice," said STX Finland, which built the 1.3-billion-rand (170-million-US-dollar) vessel.

"While at sea, the maneuverability of the ship also will be tested by doing a big circle and a figure of eight to measure how fast it can turn. A single crash stop will also be conducted at sea," said STX.

"The last of the sea trials includes testing all the scientific systems on board."

STX said it had conducted numerous ice trials before but never as extensive as this. All previous calculations were based on theoretical calculations, computer modelling of the hull form and model testing in a tank.

The SA Agulhas II has been specially designed to allow it to cut through ice one meter thick at five knots.

It will play multiple roles as tanker, cargo carrier, passenger ship, research vessel and helicopter carrier as well as performing icebreaking duties.  

After embarking on its maiden voyage from the Finnish shipyard on April 3, the vessel should reach Cape Town a month later, according to the local newspaper Cape Argus.

The SA Agulhas II will replace the aging SA Agulhas, which has been plying the Southern Ocean for more than 30 years and is completing its last supply voyage to South Africa's Antarctic base, Sanae IV.

The vessel will be handed over to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs on May 29.