The oceanographic research vessel built and modified by Freire Shipyard for the Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) will receive scientists from the National Geographic Society. The news was advanced by both institutions during the United Nations Ocean Conference  that is taking place these days in Lisbon. For Freire Shipyard, having the project for the conversion of the Falkor (too) is already a recognition of our commitment to the sector of construction and design of state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessels. And it is also an honor to know that this ship will be shared with a top-level scientific entity such as the National Geographic Society.

This partnership between the Schmidt Ocean Institute and the National Geographic Society, according to SOI declarations, is intended to promote diversity and equity in ocean exploration. Both organizations have extensive experience in ocean exploration. The executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, Dr. Jyotika Virmani, advances that “the ocean is essential for life on this planet and to understand it and maintain its health, we need expert scientists from all countries. We are delighted to partner with the National Geographic Society to enhance that critical international capacity in ocean science and also address the goals of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science.” The executive director also anticipates that “we hope to provide an opportunity for scientists and explorers from around the world to access the ocean through our new state-of-the-art research vessel, Falkor (too) to explore and understand our vast global ocean”.

Falkor (too) was built in 2011 as Polar Queen, in the Freire shipyards and returned last year by the hand of the new owner Schmidt Ocean Institute for the transformation of an offshore vessel into an oceanographic research vessel. It is an ultra-modern research vessel, equipped with the most sophisticated technology currently available. The 110 meter long ship has a work deck of 986 square meters, has 7 laboratories and a capacity for 99 people. Falkor (too) aims to be a global research vessel and provide the world scientific community with cutting-edge capabilities for ocean research and technology development, through the founding mission of the Schmidt Ocean Institute.