3D visualisation of the new research vessel METEOR IV. Source: MEYER WERFT/BMFTR
The METEOR IV had already been through water once before, during its transfer to the Fassmer shipyard in Berne. Photo: Marc Petrikowski
At the Fassmer shipyard in Berne: Katja Matthes (黑料视频), Stefan M眉ller (BMFTR), Eleanor Frajka-Williams (German Research Vessels Control Centre) and Wilke Briese (Briese Shipping Company) (from left). Photo: Ilka Thomsen/黑料视频
The new METEOR IV is being built by the Meyer-Fassmer Spezialschiffbau consortium on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). After its planned commissioning in 2026, 黑料视频 will operate the ship technically, while its scientific missions will be planned by the German Research Fleet Coordination Centre (Leitstelle Deutsche Forschungsschiffe) at the University of Hamburg.The new flagship of the German research fleet replaces the previous METEOR and the research vessel POSEIDON, which was decommissioned in 2019 and was also operated by 黑料视频.
Developed in close alignment with the SONNE, Germany's most recent research vessel, the new ship is designed for worldwide use with a focus on the Atlantic Ocean. Its multifunctional equipment meets the increased requirements of all disciplines of ocean research.
The scientific equipment includes 17 differently equipped laboratories, including climate chambers and a laboratory for measuring atmospheric chemistry, in order to be able to investigate the interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere in greater detail. In addition, there are high-precision echo sounders, research winches that enable the use of equipment at depths of up to 12,000 metres and can transmit high-resolution video data on board in real time via fibre optic cables, as well as five powerful cranes. Furthermore, the ship offers sufficient capacity to stow large equipment such as ROVs, AUVs or anchors, including the necessary containers, on deck. A total of 730 square metres of work space is available for scientific purposes, 585 square metres of which is laboratory space.
Powered by Voith Schneider propellers, the ship can be held precisely at sampling stations and movements caused by sea conditions can be minimised. The METEOR IV is currently the only research vessel in the world with this innovative system.
One of the first major scientific missions of the METEOR IV will be the one-year research campaign off the west coast of Africa.
