METEOR (1986)

The research vessel “METEOR 1986”

The research vessel “METEOR 1986”

© MARUM − Zentrum für Marine Umweltwissenschaften, Universität Bremen / V. Diekamp

Whether the Atlantic, the eastern Pacific, the western Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean or the Baltic Sea – the research vessel METEOR operates in a wide range of marine regions. 

As an interdisciplinary research platform, the METEOR is available to scientists in numerous fields, including maritime meteorology and aerology, physical oceanography, applied physics, marine chemistry, marine botany, zoology, bacteriology and mycology, marine geology, sedimentology and marine geophysics. 

A few months before commissioning of the new METEOR, the current METEOR will be decommissioned in mid-2026 after 40 years of service.

Technical Data

Length98 m
Cruising speed11.5 kn
Maximum time at sea50 days
Scientific personnel (max.):28 persons
Technical detailsMETEOR Handbook(externer Link)
Operating areasAtlantic, eastern Pacific, western Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and Baltic Sea
Lead time for cruise proposalsTwo years
OwnerFederal Republic of Germany (represented by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, BMFTR)

Further Information

The research vessel METEOR(externer Link) online.

The University of Kiel has published a virtual tour(externer Link) of the METEOR based on footage recorded during the M178 HazELNUT research cruise. Feel free to take a look around on board.