Research Vessels - METEOR

 The research vessel METEOR is mainly used for marine basic research. During expeditions, scientists from different fields of research work closely together. An equally important aspect of life aboard the ship is the cooperation with international research groups. On the first 50 expeditions alone, scientists from 68 nations worked on the METEOR. Most voyages were to the Atlantic Ocean, but destinations also encompassed the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Indian Ocean.

The METEOR can operate 50 days at sea without having to call at a port. Plenty of time for the 28 scientists aboard to use the 20 well - equipped laboratories. A spacious deck and 17 winches and cranes allow for the ship to be adapted to the researchers’ individual scientific needs. They can, for example, put up additional lab containers and employ manned or unmanned submersibles.

The METEOR is the third German research vessel of this name – the first METEOR went on a legendary expedition to the Atlantic Ocean in 1925 – 27. The second METEOR was launched in 1965 and was used in co-operation with the German Hydrographical Institute in Hamburg. Owner of the third METEOR is the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Ministry for Education and Research. Operating costs are covered jointly by the German Research Foundation (70 %) and the Ministry of Research (30 %). Ship operations are managed by the METEOR co-ordinating office at the University of Hamburg.

METEOR homepage at the co-ordinating office METEOR/MERIAN