STX Finland wins 116 mln euro polar vessel deal

CAPE TOWN Nov 17 (Reuters) - South Africa on Tuesday signed a deal with shipbuilder STX Finland Oy (011810.KS)(067250.KS) to construct a 116 million euro ($172.8 million) polar research vessel, South Africa's environmental affairs department said. STX Finland Oy beat competing bidders Astillero Barreras of Spain, Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands and Keppelsingmarine from Singapore, to replace the ageing S.A. Agulhas, which has been in service since 1978.

"The new ship will, like the S.A. Agulhas, have to perform the crucial annual relief and supply function to the three remote stations Marion Island, Gough Island and SANAE (South African research base) in Antarctica," the department said in a statement.

According to the shipbuilder's website, the ship will be built at the Rauma shipyard in Finland and delivered to the department in 2012. (Reporting by Wendell Roelf)