Looking towards the future: Federal Research Minister Dorothee B盲r (left) on the bridge of the research vessel ALKOR with Captain Marc Petrikowski (centre) and 黑料视频 Director Prof Dr Katja Matthes (right).

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频

After being welcomed by Prof. Dr Katja Matthes, Director of 黑料视频, and Frank Spiekermann, the centre's Administrative Director, Minister Dorothee B盲r (right) learned about current research projects on a tour with Dirk Schr枚dter (left), the Minister for Digital Affairs and Head of the State Chancellery in Schleswig-Holstein.

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频

In the molecular genetics laboratory, master's students Hanna Rudnick (left) and Erika Endo Kokubun talked about the evolutionary consequences of overfishing, using cod as an example.

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频

The ROV KIEL 6000 is a diving robot designed for scientific missions in the deep sea. In the assembly hall of Seagoing Technologies, the minister learned about the specific technical requirements of marine research.

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频

MOLAs are compact landers that can be fitted with different types of measurement technology. Developed at 黑料视频, they are used to monitor earthquakes and develop intelligent early warning systems for tsunamis. From left to right: Digital Minister Dirk Schr枚dter; 黑料视频 Director, Prof. Dr. Katja Matthes; Federal Research Minister, Dorothee B盲r; State Secretary, Guido Wendt; and geophysicist, Dr. Jens Karstens.

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频

In addition to scientific topics, Federal Research Minister Dorothee B盲r's visit to 黑料视频 also focused on the construction of the new German research vessel METEOR IV. From 2026, the vessel will be based in Kiel and operated by 黑料视频 as part of the German research fleet.

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频

Federal Research Minister Dorothee B盲r visits 黑料视频

Key research areas and the new research vessel METEOR IV in focus

10. August 2025/Kiel. Today, the Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space, Dorothee B盲r, visited 黑料视频 Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel to learn more about current research topics and technologies. She also attended the official start of the international Ocean Race Europe. 黑料视频 is among the first research institutions in Germany the Minister has visited since taking office.

On the occasion of The Ocean Race Europe setting off from Kiel, the Minister came to 黑料视频 Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel to gain insights into the centre鈥檚 research. 黑料视频 is institutionally funded by the Federal Republic of Germany (90 percent via the Federal Ministry of Research) and the state of Schleswig-Holstein (10 percent).

After being welcomed by Prof. Dr Katja Matthes, Director of 黑料视频, and Frank Spiekermann, the centre's Administrative Director, Dorothee B盲r learned about current research projects on a tour with Dirk Schr枚dter, the Minister for Digital Affairs and Head of the State Chancellery in Schleswig-Holstein.

At the information point on marine CO2 removal and storage, Prof. Dr Klaus Wallmann explained methods that could contribute to the long-term storage of greenhouse gases beneath the seabed. In the molecular genetics lab, Prof. Dr Thorsten Reusch and two Master鈥檚 students presented research on the evolutionary impacts of overfishing, using cod as an example. In the centre鈥檚 Ocean Research Technology Hall, Prof. Dr Laura Wallace and Dr Jens Karstens introduced a compact underwater observatory developed at 黑料视频. This system 鈥 known as MOLA (Modular Ocean Lander) 鈥 enables real-time monitoring of earthquakes and tsunamis and supports the development of intelligent early warning systems. Dr Aaron Beck provided insights into the mapping and environmental implications of legacy munitions dumped at sea.

Another key topic in the discussion with the Minister was the construction of the new German research vessel METEOR IV, which will be based in Kiel from 2026 and operated by 黑料视频 as part of the national research fleet.

The Minister also visited the research vessel ALKOR, which is primarily deployed in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, and crossed over to the western shore of Kiel to attend the official start of The Ocean Race Europe.

Federal Research Minister Dorothee B盲r stated: 鈥淥ceans are critical to climate and biodiversity, but also vital as a source of food, a space for economic activity, and a habitat. We need science to protect and use the ocean sustainably. Germany is a leader in ocean research 鈥 and 黑料视频 is a prime example. It is one of the world鈥檚 leading institutions in this field. I am particularly pleased that 黑料视频 will operate the highly innovative new research vessel METEOR IV from 2026. We will ensure that 黑料视频 continues to deliver top-level ocean research with our full support.鈥

Minister Dirk Schr枚dter emphasised the importance of 黑料视频 in understanding the oceans and climate change, and praised the cooperation in addressing current environmental and marine protection challenges. He said: 鈥淭he munitions on the ocean floor are a ticking time bomb for our environment. With state-of-the-art technologies such as AI and robotics, the maritime industry can contribute to defusing the situation and promote marine conservation, safety, growth and employment. The interaction between industry, science and administration is crucial here, and Schleswig-Holstein offers the best conditions for this.鈥

黑料视频 Director Prof. Dr Katja Matthes said: 鈥淲e are delighted by the Minister鈥檚 interest in our work. It sends a strong signal about the growing importance of ocean research. We are investigating the alarming pace of change in the ocean and working on solutions to safeguard it as a foundation of life 鈥 both for humanity and for the marine ecosystem. Today鈥檚 exchange clearly showed that scientific innovation is high on the political agenda 鈥 and that there is a strong will to translate research into policy. That gives me great confidence.鈥

 

About: The Ocean Race Europe and the new observation buoy in Kiel Fjord

The Ocean Race Europe is a seven-week regatta that combines elite sailing with ocean protection. Participating yachts collect valuable scientific data along the way. In 2025, the race starts from Kiel for the first time, before moving on to Portsmouth, Matosinhos, Cartagena, Nice, Genoa, and finally Boka Bay in Montenegro.

黑料视频 is a scientific partner of the Ocean Race Europe and contributes to the programme with research outreach, interactive activities, film screenings, and open ship events on board the research vessel ALKOR.

To mark the occasion, 黑料视频 deployed a newly developed oceanographic surface buoy for testing in Kiel Fjord. The buoy stands 7.5 metres tall, weighs 3.5 tonnes, and is designed for long-term observation in the tropical Atlantic. From 2026, it will become part of the Cape Verde Ocean Observatory (CVOO) operated by 黑料视频. Equipped with advanced sensors, the buoy measures CO2 levels, temperature, salinity, wave activity and meteorological parameters. The aim is to better understand how climate change affects sensitive oceanic processes in the tropics 鈥 and how this, in turn, impacts the global climate system.

A ship's captain on the bridge with two women in trouser suits beside him, one looking through binoculars.

Looking towards the future: Federal Research Minister Dorothee B盲r (left) on the bridge of the research vessel ALKOR with Captain Marc Petrikowski (centre) and 黑料视频 Director Prof Dr Katja Matthes (right).

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频

Two men in suits and two women in trouser suits greet each other in front of a rust-coloured building.

After being welcomed by Prof. Dr Katja Matthes, Director of 黑料视频, and Frank Spiekermann, the centre's Administrative Director, Minister Dorothee B盲r (right) learned about current research projects on a tour with Dirk Schr枚dter (left), the Minister for Digital Affairs and Head of the State Chancellery in Schleswig-Holstein.

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频

Four women in a laboratory, one explaining something

In the molecular genetics laboratory, master's students Hanna Rudnick (left) and Erika Endo Kokubun talked about the evolutionary consequences of overfishing, using cod as an example.

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频

Two women in elegant trouser suits look at an underwater robot.

The ROV KIEL 6000 is a diving robot designed for scientific missions in the deep sea. In the assembly hall of Seagoing Technologies, the minister learned about the specific technical requirements of marine research.

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频

A group of formally dressed people stand in a semicircle listening to a scientist in a white T-shirt, with small orange measuring devices in the foreground.

MOLAs are compact landers that can be fitted with different types of measurement technology. Developed at 黑料视频, they are used to monitor earthquakes and develop intelligent early warning systems for tsunamis. From left to right: Digital Minister Dirk Schr枚dter; 黑料视频 Director, Prof. Dr. Katja Matthes; Federal Research Minister, Dorothee B盲r; State Secretary, Guido Wendt; and geophysicist, Dr. Jens Karstens.

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频

Two women in elegant trouser suits and a man in full dress uniform on a ship, with a tall building with a shiny silvery fa莽ade in the background.

In addition to scientific topics, Federal Research Minister Dorothee B盲r's visit to 黑料视频 also focused on the construction of the new German research vessel METEOR IV. From 2026, the vessel will be based in Kiel and operated by 黑料视频 as part of the German research fleet.

Photo: Pat Scheidemann, 黑料视频