The government is funding a new research ship to strengthen the country’s climate, energy and food security while supporting jobs in the domestic shipbuilding sector.
The 85-metre vessel will lead a new national system for monitoring UK waters, bringing together marine surveys, data and technology to improve management of fisheries and the marine environment.
It will carry out work including assessing fish stocks, mapping the seabed, monitoring pollution and responding to marine incidents. The ship will also use automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, while running on clean fuels to reduce its environmental impact.
The vessel is expected to support more than 40 jobs and become operational in 2031 or 2032.
It will replace the RV Cefas Endeavour, which has supported UK marine science since 2003 and is due to retire in the early 2030s.
The government says the investment will help protect an industry that contributed more than £200 billion to the UK economy in 2021.
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