Cohesion Policy: European Commission invests in world-class oceanographic research vessel in Spain

The European Commission approved a €68.3 million investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the design and construction of a vessel for the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) in Cádiz (Andalucía). The vessel will allow the institute’s scientists to study different marine ecosystems around the world, as it will be the first vessel of the Institute to operate globally. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira said: “To protect our oceans and manage its resources in a more sustainable way, we need to improve our knowledge and understanding of marine ecosystems, with the support of new technologies and through global marine research and science partnerships. This is precisely the purpose of this EU project, which will also make Spanish excellence in research shine on the world’s stage.” The vessel will be equipped with the latest technologies for navigation, fishing, surveillance and data collection and will be able to provide accurate assessments of fishery resources. It will be able to spend 45 consecutive days at seas, accommodate 40 researchers and cover the full range of ocean depth, around 6 kilometres, with maximum precision. Its deployment will boost the Institute’s role in the development of international oceanographic-fisheries cooperation. The construction will begin in the summer of 2020 and the vessel should be operational by end of 2023. In Spain, €5.2 billion is invested in research and innovation under the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds.