Not only her size sets her aside. Her technology is also new because Planet is the first all-electric ship (AES) to be built in Germany and her engines and generators use PM magneto electric drive technology.

It was a short-circuit in the electrical winding mechanism in a drive motor during sea-trials last Autumn that prevented the handover, already delayed from April, from taking place last September. The motor had to be replaced.

The ship's diesels are in insulated containers on deck, but two each of the electric motors (combined output 41600kW) are in the twin SWATH hulls under the water-line. This greatly reduces the acoustic signature while driving two propellers and providing 15 knots. The technology draws heavily on submarine building, which Nordseewerke specialises in.

Reports said that even after the replacement of the defective drive motor last year, however, achieving all the demands for silent running remained a challenge and that modifications were still being carried out after handover.

Planet has a given range of 5,000 sea miles and operational independence for 30 days. She carries a crew of 25 and also accommodates 20 scientific personnel.