Research Vessels and Research Permits
Research vessels
Research vessels used in HELCOM monitoring programmes are listed under this page based on data collected within BALSAM project WP5 activities (co-financed by the European Union DG Environment).
The table below displays common information of research vessels, including a national web page containing vessel information and a link to ship’s current position using MarineTraffic service. Reports of past cruises are available as links in “Completed cruises” column. Column “SeaDataNet CSRs” contains a link to vessel’s SeaDataNet Cruise Summary Reports (if available). By clicking the Name of the vessel, a full list of attribute information is displayed. A system for collecting information on planned cruises from ship operators web site FTP box was developed in the project by Tallinn University.
- Want to see where the research vessels currently are? See the research vessels live map
Research vessels table
| Name | Call sign | Country | Completed Cruises | SeaDataNet CSRs |
| Alkor | DBND | Germany | Cruise reports | View CSRs |
| Atair | DBBI | Germany | View CSRs | |
| Aranda | OIRY | Finland | Cruise reports | View CSRs |
| Aurora | OUYF | Denmark | View CSRs | |
| Baltica | SNGH | Poland | Cruise reports | View CSRs |
| Dana | OXBH | Denmark | View CSRs | |
| Darius | LYII | Lithuania | View CSRs | |
| Elisabeth Mann-Borgese | DBKR | Germany | Cruise reports | View CSRs |
| Geomari | OJ2527 | Finland | View CSRs | |
| Haithabu | DK7933 | Germany | View CSRs | |
| Littorina | DLMG | Germany | Cruise reports | View CSRs |
| Mare | YL2846 | Latvia | View CSRs | |
| Mintis | LYAP | Lithuania | View CSRs | |
| Oceanograf | SPG2054 | Poland | View CSRs | |
| Salme | ES2408 | Estonia | View CSRs | |
| Skagerak | SGCD | Sweden | Cruise reports | View CSRs |
| Strelasund | DBVE | Germany | View CSRs | |
| Véjúnas | LYTN | Lithuania | Cruise reports | View CSRs |
| Various | Germany | View CSRs |
Research permits
Information on applying for marine research permits from Contracting Parties is listed below.
Denmark
Information on applying for permits is available at https://um.dk/udenrigspolitik/folkeretten/folkeretten-a/havret under ”Havforskning – tilladelser” (in Danish).
Applicants must fill in the following form and send it to jthav@um.dk
Estonia
According to the Water Act (§s 244-249), the competent authority for issuing the marine research permits in the Estonian marine area is the Ministry of Climate. Applications for permits should be sent to: info@kliimaministeerium.ee
More detailed information and application forms are available: https://kliimaministeerium.ee/en/water-forest-resources/protection-marine-environment/marine-research-permit
Finland
Permitting for research in Finnish Territorial Waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone are dealt with in several pieces of national legislation.
Research carried out by a research vessel owned by a foreign state
The research carried out by the research vessel owned by a foreign state in the Finnish territorial waters require a permit, according to the Territorial Surveillance Act (755/2000, amendments up to 846/2006 included) section 10 (Permit authorities and permit and notification procedures). The competent authority for permitting of research in the Finnish territorial waters is the Ministry of Defence and the Defence Staff (see the TSA for details). Any documents to be appended to the application and the notification, and the period of validity of the permit and other provisions related to permissions shall be issued by Government Decree. The exploration and survey of the sea bottom is explained in Section 12, while soil exploration from an aircraft and aerial photography are explained in Sections 13 and 14, respectively.
Research and surveys carried out for assessing the suitability of marine areas for wind energy
The Act on wind-energy in Finland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is only available in Finnish (Laki merituulivoimasta talousvyöhykkeellä 937/2024). This act regulates the permitting for carrying out research with the intention to explore if a marine area is suitable for wind-energy production (Section 3). The right to use an area in the Finnish EEZ for wind-energy and the required research will need a permit from the Government (right to use the Finnish EEZ). The right to use a part of the Finnish EEZ for wind energy production is then decided based by competition. At present no new research permits for wind energy will be issued for the Finnish EEZ.
Germany
Requirements for research activities by foreign vessels in German marine waters involving:
- Stationary or autonomous objects (e.g. buoys) and seabed related activities in the EEZ: Permit requirement
- Competent authority: Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH)
- Approval regime: Foreign public institutions apply via their national embassy to the German Federal Foreign Office. Applications will be handed down via the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport to the BSH. Allow sufficient time for this process. Foreign private applicants can address their application directly to BSH. All applications must be received by BSH at least 8-12 weeks before the start of the cruise.
- For details and application forms see (forms in German only):
- Stationary objects (e.g. buoys)
- Seabed related activities
- Autonomous devices (e.g. drifters)
The possibility of obtaining a permit depends largely on the type and capabilities of the autonomous vehicle. Please contact the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) and apply as early as possible.
- Surveys relating to the water column in all marine waters under German jurisdiction: Registration requirement
- Competent authorities: Vessel Traffic Service Centres and Shipping and Waterway Authorities.
- In special cases, the competent Shipping and Waterway Authority grants specific permits.
Latvia
Procedures for applying for and obtaining research permits are regulated by Republic of Latvia Cabinet Regulation (21.02.2012) No 126 ”Procedures for the Issuance of a Special Permit for Performance of Scientific Research Activities in the Territorial Sea, the Continental Shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Latvia for a Ship of Scientific Research of a Foreign State”
Lithuania
The Lithuanian Environmental Protection Agency is the competent authority for issuing marine research permits for foreign vessels in the Lithuanian marine area. Conducting scientific research within the Lithuanian marine areas is specified in the Order of Minister of Environment and Minister of Foreign Affairs (30.03.2000) No 123/43 (In Lithuanian: 123/43 Dėl Leidimų išdavimo užsienio valstybių fiziniams ir juridiniams asmenims, jų filialams ar kitoms…)
The application for a permit including the Notification of proposed research cruise (Part A and Part B) should be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.urm.lt; urm@urm.lt) no later than 6 months prior to the expected date of starting the research.
Poland
Conducting scientific research (research) within the Polish maritime areas is specified in the provisions of the Act of March 21, 1991 on the maritime areas of the Republic of Poland and maritime administration (Journal of Laws 2023, item 960, Articles 28 – 32a) – in Polish: ustawa z dnia 21 marca 1991 r.
o obszarach morskich Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej i administracji morskiej.
Additional provisions regulate scientific research, where research:
- includes fishing – applies provisions of the sea fishing regulations;
- is archeological research – applies the provision of the Act of 23 July 2003 on the Protection and Care of Historical Monuments (Journal of Laws 2022, item 840);
- is related to chemical weapons, toxic chemicals and their precursors – applies the provisions of the Act of 22 June 2001 on the implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC Convention).
Foreign states, legal entities and natural persons and respective international organizations, may conduct research within the Polish maritime areas (both Polish internal and territorial waters and Polish exclusive economic zone) after obtaining a permit issued by:
- the minister responsible for maritime economy https://www.gov.pl/web/infrastruktura/departament-gospodarki-morskiej-dgm ;
- (in case of research concerns living marine resources) – by the minister responsible for fisheries.
The application for a permit should be presented to the Polish side (Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Legal and Treaty Department: https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/legal-and-treaty-department) no later than 3 months prior to the expected date of starting the research, through the diplomatic mission of the applicant’s country, located on the territory of the Republic of Poland. The application should be submitted in Polish.
Sweden
The Swedish Coast Guard is the competent authority for issuing marine research permits for foreign vessels in the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone (Ordinance (1992:1226) on Sweden’s Economic Zone) and in Swedish territorial waters (Ordinance (1998:1252) on Area Protection according to the Environmental code).
Please note:
- Research cruises with state owned or state leased vessels may come into question for a research permit. Marine surveys for commercial purposes are not applicable for a permit from the Swedish Coast Guard.
- Applications are to be submitted through the national embassy in Sweden to the Swedish Coast Guard.
- Applications must be received by the Swedish Coast Guard at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the cruise.
- The Swedish Coast Guard will send the application on referral to other public authorities responsible for e.g. maritime safety or marine and water management. Should the application involve Swedish territorial waters, it will also be sent to the Swedish Armed Forces.
- Applications for permits for conducting research on Swedish territorial waters entail an application fee of 5700 SEK.
Information on how to apply: website of the Swedish Coast Guard