History

Built in Gdansk, Poland, in 1984 – one of 14 vessels commissioned by the Russian government – it was used by the Russian Navy as a fire-fighting ship in Murmansk.

At 72 metres, with a top speed of 18 knots, Esperanza is ideal for fast and long-range work, like chasing the Japanese whaling fleet! It is equipped with a first class communications system and its ice-class status makes it suitable for work in the polar regions.

Green ship

It’s also our greenest ship. After Esperanza joined the Greenpeace fleet in early 2002, we spent many months refitting it to the highest possible environmental standards.

We have removed and contained the asbestos on board. And we have fitted more efficient diesel engines, on-board recycling of waste water, a waste-based heating system, bilge water purifiers, TBT-free hull paint, ammonia based refrigeration and air-conditioning, and an environmentally and economically efficient propulsion system to reduce CO2 emissions. It now sails as a proud example of a truly green ship!

In addition, standard Greenpeace operating equipment has also been fitted. A new helicopter deck has been added, as well as special boat cranes to launch the inflatables.

Take a virtual tour of the ship.

If you have a fast internet connection, click here to see a short video about the Esperanza.

Action

The Esperanza first sprang into action for Greenpeace to protest against imports of unsustainably logged wood, in the run-up to the Ancient Forests Summit.

It intercepted the Agat (which was carrying giant Azobe tree trunks from Liberia) off the coast of the Netherlands on 3 March 2002.

Since then, the ship has been travelling all over the world working on a variety of Greenpeace campaigns.

Personal account

David de Jong, Greenpeace chief engineer

"Finding the perfect Greenpeace ship had been on my mind since I joined Greenpeace. When the specifications were agreed for the replacement of the MV Greenpeace, it was an extremely difficult task. The Echo Fighter (the ship’s original name) had the potential we were looking for, even if we were looking at a major refit.

Full of thoughts, excitement and questions I walked off the gangway after my first visit to the Echo Fighter in Norway, when a rainbow appeared.

Rainbows are said to have appeared at crucial moments in Greenpeace history, guiding our ships to whaling vessels and nuclear test sites.

Perhaps in this case the rainbow guided us to the Esperanza - I certainly like to think of both as signs of hope for things to come. "

Specification

Port of registry: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Former Name: Echo Fighter
Date of charter: 2000
Number of berths: 33
Inflatable boats: 2 large rigid hull and 4 small inflatables
Helicopter capable: Yes
Type of ship: expedition/research
Call sign: PD 6464
Built: 1984 Poland Gdansk
Gross tonnage: 2076 BRT
Length o.a: 72.3m
Breadth: 14.3m
Draught: 4.7m
Maximum speed: 14 knots
Main engines: 5.876 BHP, 2*2.938 BHP Sulzer V12