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19th to 21st of May 2026
19th, 20th & 21st
MAY 2026

- CONFIRMED DATES -

Construction begins on the 'Odón de Buen', the largest Spanish oceanographic vessel

It will be ready for launching in 2024 and will be equipped with all possible technical advances

The construction of the future oceanographic vessel 'Odon de Buen' has formally started at a shipyard in Vigo (Pontevedra). The oceanographic vessel 'Odón de Buen', expected to be completed in June 2024, will bear the name of the founder of the Oceanography Spanish Institute and an oceanography pioneer in Europe. This ship will be about 85 m-Long and 18 m-wide and its autonomy will be about 50 days of sailing.

It will be a unique oceanographic vessel in the world for its clean energy, which includes, for the first time, the propulsion of liquefied gas as fuel. The ship will be equipped with cutting-edge technology allowing it to study ecosystems, habitats and seabeds in oceans worldwide, including polar areas, and over 6,000 meters-deep. In addition, it will have the most advanced systems to respect the environment.

CAPACITY FOR 58 PASSENGERS
After its build, 'Odón de Buen' will become the largest oceanographic vessel in Spain and will have the capacity to accommodate 58 passengers. The vessel is specially designed to be silent, a fundamental aspect both for observing the ocean, producing the minimum impact and disturbance to marine organisms, and for working with scientific echo sounders. In addition, the project has the most advanced systems to respect environment through tools to prevent fuel spills, to control gas emissions into the atmosphere or to use gas as fuel.
Its scientific equipment stands out for being heading technology through echo sounders, both for the seabed study and for fisheries; remotely operated or autonomous vehicles; sampling systems, dredgers and 500 m2 of laboratory.

In addition, due to its enormous storage and its great container transport capacity on deck, it will have a great capacity for logistical support, which will allow 'Odón de Buen' to serve as platform for exchanges with Antarctic bases while carries out its research in this region.

CUTTING-EDGE SPANISH OCEANOGRAPHY
IEO work in the study of marine protected areas and vulnerable habitats in recent years has contributed to the commitment reached by Spain to protect more than 10% of its maritime territories. Odón de Buen oceanographic vessel will reinforce these studies by allowing exploration of the seabed located at a depth of 6,000 metres, which includes all the waters under Spanish jurisdiction.
In addition, its characteristics will allow these investigations to be transferred to international waters at any latitude and thus comply with the United Nations commitment to protect marine biodiversity in areas located outside the national sphere.

The IEO's experience is based, partly, on the work carried out by Ángeles Alvariño and Ramón Margalef oceanographic research vessels, which were built just over 10 years ago with Spanish design and technology. Their scientific work has caused that nowadays they are considered a model to follow worldwide for the construction of a new generation of oceanographic vessels.

(Source: elperiodico.com)