Oslo, Norway--After two years of design and construction, Aker BioMarine and Norwegian shipbuilding company VARD announced a new energy-efficient krill harvesting vessel that is set to travel to Antarctica for the upcoming harvesting season.

The conception of "Antarctic Endurance" involved the collaboration of 40 vendors and over 900 workers. The 130-meter flagged vessel cost over $140 million (U.S.) to engineer and construct.

"Energy efficient and equipped with a host of environmental friendly technologies, Antarctic Endurance is specifically designed and constructed for our unique business, with direct input from our experienced crew," said Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine, in a press release.

The vessel is designed for the harshest of conditions and provides an on-board processing factory and research laboratory. It is also equipped with eco-harvesting technology and is 30% more environmentally friendly than other ships, according to the company.

Specifically, steam is produced when the boiler system uses energy from the exhaust. With the help of the software "SeaQ Green Pilot," the vessel's fuel and energy production is monitored closely and optimized, Aker BioMarine said.