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  • The new Polarstern

    Using cutting-edge technologies to explore the most remote regions of our planet.


    She’ll be a ship like no other

    Icebreaker, multidisciplinary research platform – and pioneer: Germany is currently constructing a modern polar research and resupply vessel to succeed the Polarstern. She will be the lifeline to the Arctic and Antarctic, not to mention a shining example of sustainability and innovation in shipping. She will ensure that top-notch research continues in the future, offering the global community new insights into how our oceans and polar regions can be protected.

    The new Polarstern

    Visualization of Polarstern on the water.
    Visualization of the new Polarstern in ice
    Visualization of a device being deployed via a winch.
    Moon pool: Device deployed through a shaft inside the ship
    Polarstern new build: The Alfred Wegener Institute is steering toward the future with a new ship.
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    Facts & Figures

    • 160
      metres
      length
    • 27.3
      metres
      width
    • 310
      days
      per year at sea
    • 30
      years
      service life
    • 110
      persons
      on board (normal operations)
    • 1
      homeport
      Bremerhaven
    Six milestones on the way to the new ship.
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    • Call for tenders begins

      With the approval of the 2022 federal budget by the German Bundestag, the call for tenders, and the search for the ideal shipyard, begins.

    • Shipyard selected

      The AWI and the shipyard thyssenkrupp Marine Systems sign the contract for constructing the new Polarstern.

    • First steel-cutting

      Here we go! The first steel plate for the new ship is cut.

    • Keel-laying

      In an official ceremony, the keel of the new Polarstern is laid, marking the birth of the new ship.

    • Launching

      During the traditional launching, the new ship is transported to the water for the first time.

    • Christening

      Wishing her safe travels and always a hand’s width of water under her keel: Germany’s new research icebreaker is christened.

    • Maiden voyage

      After years of planning and construction, the new Polarstern can finally depart for her first expedition.

    Polarstern
    Prof. Dr. Antje Boetius
    Direktor AWI
    © Alfred-Wegener-Institut
    The new ship
    Germany's new research icebreaker is taking shape: With Polar Class 2 and state-of-the-art technology for groundbreaking research in the Arctic and Antarctic.
    Learn more
    Highlights on board
    State-of-the-art technology on board: The new Polarstern provides insights into unexplored depths of the polar regions thanks to its moon pool and diving robots.
    Learn more
    Construction project
    After 40 years in service: A new AWI project is planning the high-tech successor to the Polarstern – coordinated and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
    Learn more
    Sustainability
    Efficient and sustainable: The new Polarstern combines dual-fuel propulsion, heat recovery, and state-of-the-art filtration technology for Arctic research missions at the highest level.
    Learn more
    Press area
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  1. The new ship
  2. Highlights on board
  3. Sustainability
  4. Construction project
  5. Press area
  1. Accessibility
  2. Easy language
  3. Sign language
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