The ship is named after the Norwegian oceanographer and meteorologist Harald Ulrik Sverdrup (1888–1957).

To reduce noise from the main engine, it is mounted elastically and a passive stabilization system dampens the vessel's rolling movements in bad weather conditions.

The ship was built under construction number 73 at the Simek shipyard, Sigbjørn Iversen, in Flekkefjord.

At the rear of the ship there is a 200 square metres (2,200 sq ft) working deck.

The cargo hold can be serviced by a hydraulically operated crane installed on the starboard side.

On the starboard side there is a folding boom as an additional lifting tool.

[4] The main purpose of the vessel is military oceanography, but it has spare capacity to take on many civilian expeditions.