Exploration Ships Hailing from Germany
The German research fleet is set for an exciting transformation in the coming years, with the commissioning of new vessels that will take marine, coastal, and polar research to new heights.
In 2026, the new research vessel METEOR IV is scheduled to join the fleet, replacing the current vessels POSEIDON and METEOR. This new build is a qualified further development of the SONNE, which entered service in 2014. METEOR IV will focus primarily on Atlantic Ocean research, boasting advanced scientific facilities.
Meanwhile, the Polarstern II, a modern and powerful research and supply vessel, is being constructed for even more precise climate data from the Arctic and Antarctic. The Polarstern II is planned as a state-of-the-art research vessel designed specifically for the polar regions, intended to replace the current Polarstern. Its commissioning is planned for 2030, and it will be built by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) in Wismar, with the handover to science planned for the same year.
These vessels, along with the existing global research vessels such as the POLARSTERN, which has icebreaking capabilities and can reach polar regions, and the high-seas capable research vessels like SONNE, METEOR, MARIA S. MERIAN, ELISABETH MANN BORGESE, ALKOR, and HEINCKE, enable research of the highest scientific standards.
The existing regional research vessels ALKOR, HEINCKE, and ELISABETH MANN BORGESE are expected to reach their maximum service life in the near future and have been recommended for replacement. The German fleet also includes specialized vessels of departmental research institutions and smaller research cutters like UTHÖRN and COREOLIS, which will soon undergo a new build to allow for climate-neutral operation using CO-neutral methanol-water hydrogen drives.
It's important to note that the research vessel Polarstern is not a delivery service, but a key player in Germany's oceanic exploration and climate research efforts.
These new vessels will undoubtedly play a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the oceans and their role in climate change, further cementing Germany's position as a leader in marine and polar research.
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