Greenpeace International's newest vessel, the Rainbow Warrior III, is currently undergoing construction and is scheduled to be seaworthy in 2011.

The finished product will be primarily a sailing yacht, to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, though the Volvo Penta D65a MT 1850 HP will propel the Rainbow Warrior III to speeds of up to 11 knots.

The launching of the new flagship will coincide with Greenpeace's 40th anniversary, and will be the company's new platform for promoting environmental campaigns both moored and while at sea. The original Rainbow Warrior and its successor, the Rainbow Warrior II, were modified from previous ships, making this new vessel Greenpeace's first purpose-built ship.

One of the chief concerns for Greenpeace when drawing up the plans for the new vessel was developing an environmentally sustainable vessel, and as a result it boasts a number of clever features.

Dykstra & Partners were the naval architects behind the project while Rondal will manufacture everything from the booms, rigging, winches, furling systems, masts, hydraulics and sails. Meanwhile Imtech Marine Group will deliver the 'green' infrastructure.

The Rainbow Warrior III's hull will be made of steel, and it will be a sailing yacht with an A-frame mast design with five hydraulically furling sails. "By minimising the amount of standing rigging required, these A-frame masts create a relatively simple rig to operate," said  Remco Zeevaarder from Rondal of the A frame staysail schooner design.

"This is an exciting challenge for us to design and engineer these masts, with their curving legs and mast bend. We will be building them in recycled aluminium, which is a clear testimony to the goals of our client," added Zeevaarder.

Interestingly, the Greenpeace flagship will heat its water supplies via excess thermal energy from its generators, which reduces its fuel consumption.

As well as carrying numerous RIBs for quick launch, the Rainbow Warrior III has a helicopter landing platform pad, plus a number of strategic below-deck areas, such as a campaign office, communications and conference rooms.