Özdemir visits shipyard for the new Polarstern

Federal Minister of Research Cem Özdemir was visibly impressed by the undertaking: “Wismar is showing what Germany is capable of: the future, ‘made in Germany’ – because, with the new Polarstern, we are building the future of climate research. The new Polarstern will be a world class research vessel and set new standards in terms of sustainability. For example, with a propulsion system that can also run on green methanol. These are precisely the kinds of innovation we need, which is why we at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research are investing more than four billion euros in this decade alone for the research fleet and marine research. A good investment in a twofold sense: for Germany as a research hub, and for climate protection. I’m convinced: this ship will further cement Germany’s excellent reputation in marine research.”

In turn, Minister of Science Bettina Martin expressed the state government’s enthusiasm for the large-scale project: “For the state government, it is excellent news that a shipbuilding project of such central importance for climate research will be completed in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is strong in climate research. We’re the only Federal State to own two ships from the German research fleet. Accordingly, it is also very important to us from a science policy standpoint that the new Polarstern has been approved. And the fact that it will be constructed in the shipbuilding city of Wismar is all the better. Because in a nutshell – what’s good for the shipyards is good for Wismar. The economic power in connection with the successful shipbuilding project in Wismar will benefit the entire region, energise business for contractors and crafts enterprises, the housing market, and of course also boost demand in retail. For Wismar, the construction of the Polarstern and the planned projects for military vessels represent sustained stability, an inflow of new expertise, new training slots, and bright prospects for the future.”

During the ministerial visit, the construction contract was formally signed by the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. “We couldn’t be more thrilled that, with this signing, construction can now begin,” said AWI Director Prof Antje Boetius. “What happens in the ocean and the polar regions affects all of humanity. Given its function as a reservoir for heat and carbon, the ocean is vital to our survival. It is full of fascinating organisms that need to be protected. The ocean and coasts provide us with food, recreational spaces, regenerative energies and materials, together with global transport routes. With the new Polarstern, we will have the opportunity to better understand all the exciting and pressing issues involved and, on that basis, to develop new solutions to major challenges like climate change, environmental protection and nature conservation. Plus, she’ll offer a safe haven for our researchers and crew.”

“With the construction of the new Polarstern, we at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems are not only pursuing our first project in Wismar but also delivering on our key promise: we are investing a sum in the three-digit million range into the shipyard site’s development. Further, through this project alone, we will create 500 lucrative jobs and long-term prospects here in Wismar. Our local ties are important to me, because we won the Polarstern because of Wismar. And Wismar won the Polarstern because of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems,” said Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. “We thank the BMBF and the AWI for their trust and very much look forward to realising this pioneering project together. After all, the award of contract to thyssenkrupp Marine Systems also shows that we can offer top-notch technological products and services at internationally competitive prices.”