Research vessels by country include:
Algeria
RV Belkacem Grine (2010)
Angola
RV Baía Farta Pensador
Argentina
ARA Austral ARA Cormorán
Australia
RSV Nuyina Aurora Australis RV Franklin RV Investigator (1973-1998) Nella Dan Southern Surveyor RV Solander RV Cape Ferguson
Survey vessels
(1946-1964) (1943-1945) (1990) (1944) (1959-1980) (1906-1914) HMAS Flinders (1981-1990) (1959-1966) (1956-1958) (1944-1956) (2000) (2000) (1989) (1933-1934, 1935-1946) (1964-1999) (1989) (1943-1946) (1990) (1952-1966)
Bangladesh
RV Meen Shandhani (2016) CVASU Research Vessel
Belgium (EU)
RV Belgica (transferred to Ukraine, now RV Borys Aleksandrov) RV Zeeleeuw RV Simon Stevin
Bermuda RV Atlantic Explorer
Brazil
RV Professor W. Besnard (1967-2008) RV Atlântico Sul (1973) RV Alpha Crucis (2012) BNS H21 Sirius BNS H35 Amorim do Valle BNS H36 Taurus BNS H37 Garnier Sampaio BNS H38 Cruzeiro do Sul BNS H40 Antares
Bulgaria (EU)
Akademik Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii
Canada
RV Coriolis II
Canadian Coast Guard
Parks Canada
RV David Thompson (1992) Gwaii Haanas IIEarliest sign of human habitation in Canada may have been found
University of Victoria
RV John Strickland
Government of Nunavut
Qikiqtaaluk Corporation RV Celtic Voyager (bought from Ireland in 2023) RV Ludy Pudluk (2021)
Survey vessels
(1919-1923, 1925-1939, 1945-1969) (1919-1939) (1948-1958)
Cape Verde RV Islândia (donated by Iceland in 1994)
Chile
Cabo de Hornos AGS 61
China
Type 625 research vessel
Colombia
ARC Providencia ARC Malpelo ARC Quindio ARC Caribe ARC Roncador ARC Simon Bolivar BI Ancón
Cook Islands
Anuanua Moana (2023)
Croatia (EU)
RV BIOS DVA
Survey vessels
SV Hidra SV Palagruža
Czechia (EU)
University of South Bohemia
RV Clione
Czech Academy of Sciences
Ota OlivaBrief history of long-term ecological research into aquatic ecosystems and their catchments in the Czech Republic. Part I: Manmade reservoirs. October 2016. Edition: First. Publisher: Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre CAS, v.v.i. Editor: Petr Znachor. ISBN 978-80-86668-38-3. ResearchGate PDF Thor Heyerdahl (2009)
Denmark (EU)
See also List of Danish research ships, which includes ships used only for expeditions Aurora (2014) Biologen (1932-1964) Dana I (1920-1922) Dana II (1921-1935) Dana III (1937-1980) Dana IV (1981) Dana V (expected in 2027) Sallingsund (1899-1932) Thor (1902-1919)
Faroe Islands RV Jákup Sverri (2020)
Greenland RV Sanna (2012) RV Tarajoq (2021)
Egypt
National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries RV Salsabil RV Yarmouk
Estonia (EU)
Tallinn University of Technology
RV Salme
University of Tartu
AluDevil 33 Aurelie Emili 007 Fortuuna Welle
Estonian Maritime Museum
Mare (1983-2018)
Finland (EU)
Aranda (1953-1989) Aranda (1989) Muikku Aurelia Seili I Seili II Geomari Kaiku Saduria
France (EU)
(1965-1989) RV Gwen-Drez (1976-2016) RV Côte d'Aquitaine
CNRS
RV Albert Lucas RV Antédon II RV Néréis II RV Neomysis RV Planula IV RV Sagitta III RV Sépia II
Ifremer
RV Anita Conti (operational in 2026) RV Antea RV L'Atalante RV Côtes de la Manche RV La Curieuse (transferred to a private owner) RV L'Europe RV Haliotis RV RV RV RV Thalia RV Téthys II RV Le Suroît
French Ministry of Culture
Alfred Merlin (2021)
Cousteau Society
RV Calypso (1950–1997) Anaconda Alcyone (1985)
Tara Ocean Foundation
Tara Tara Polar Station
Des Requins et des Hommes
Parsifal (2025)
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
L'Astrolabe (1986-2017) L'Astrolabe (2016)
Survey vessels
A758 Beautemps-Beaupré A791 Lapérouse A792 Borda A793 Laplace
Germany (EU)
FRV Capella (2004) FRV Clupea (2012) FRV Deneb (1994) FRV Komet (1998) FRV Solea (2004) FRV Walther Herwig III (1993) FRV Wega (1990) RV Haithabu (2014) RV Ludwig Prandtl (1983) RV Meteor (1924-1945) RV Meteor (1964) RV Senckenberg RV Sonne (1978-2014; sold to Argentina; now ARA Austral) RV Valdivia
German Navy
Planet (2005)
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
RV Meteor (1986) RV Sonne (2014)
Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency
RV Atair (2021)
Alfred Wegener Institute
RV Uthörn (1947) RV Uthörn (1982) RV Mya (replaced by Mya II) RV Polarstern (1982) RV Heincke (1990) RV Mya II (2013)
Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research
RV Alexander von Humboldt (replaced by Maria S. Merian; now EV Nautilus) RV Professor A. Penck (1951-2010; replaced by RV Elisabeth Mann Borgese) (2006) RV Elisabeth Mann Borgese (2011)
GEOMAR Kiel
RV Südfall (1946 – 1966; 1958 renamed RV Hermann Wattenberg) RV Alkor (1966-1990) Sagitta (1966-1997) RV Littorina (1975) RV Poseidon (1976-2020; sold to Sea-Watch, now Humanity 1) RV Alkor (1990) Polarfuchs (1997)
Max Planck Institute for Chemistry
RV Eugen Seibold (2018)
Greece (EU)
RV Aegaeo RV Philia
Survey vessels
HS Naftilos (A-478) HS Pytheas (A-474) HS Strabon (A-476)
Iceland
Marine and Freshwater Research Institute RV Árni Friðriksson (2000) RV Bjarni Sæmundsson (1970-2025) RV Þórunn Þórðardóttir (2024)
Icelandic Coast Guard Survey vessel BALDUR (1991)
India
Survey vessels
INS Mesh (J34) INS Sandhayak (J18) (1981-2021) INS Nirdeshak (J19) (1982-2014) INS Nirupak (J20) (1985-2024) INS Investigator (J15) (1990) INS Jamuna (J16) (1991) INS Sutlej (J17) (1993) INS Darshak (J21) (2001) INS Sarvekshak (J22) (2002) INS Makar (J31) (2012) INS Sandhayak (J18) (2024)
Indonesia
Geomarin III (2014) RV MADIDIHANG-03
National Research and Innovation Agency
Baruna Jaya I Baruna Jaya III Baruna Jaya VIII
Indonesian Navy
KRI Rigel (2015) KRI Spica (2015) KRI Dewa Kembar KRI Pollux KAL Aries KAL Vega
Iran Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science
Khalije Fars sea explorer (2017)
Ireland (EU)
RV Celtic Explorer (2003) RV Celtic Voyager (in 2023 sold to the Qikiqtaaluk Corporation of Nunavut) MV Cosantóir Bradán RV Geo RV Keary RV Lough Beltra (1988-1997) RV Tom Crean (2022) RV Tonn
Italy (EU)
RV Andrea RV Astrea RV Cerruti RV Dallaporta RV Furetto Gaia Blu RV Italica RV Laura Bassi RV Luigi Sanzo RV Maria Grazia RV Minerva Uno RV OGS Explora RV Regione Lazio 1 RV Tecnopesca II RV Trer RV Andromeda RV Futura RV Cormorano II
Italian Navy
RV Alliance A 5345 (NATO vessel, since 1 January 2016 under Italian Navy flag) RV Leonardo A 5301 (NATO vessel, since 11 May 2007 under Italian government flag and since 14 May 2010 under Italian Navy flag) RV Ammiraglio Magnaghi A 5303 RV Aretusa A 5304 RV Elettra A 5340 RV Galatea A 5308 RV Vincenzo Martellotta A 5320 RV Raffaele Rossetti A 5315
Japan
RV Chikyū RV Hakurei Maru RV Hakuho Maru RV Kaimei RV Kairei RV Kaiyo (formerly, Mutsu) RV Natsushima RV Shigen (formerly, RV Ramform Victory of Petroleum Geo-Services) RV Umitaka Maru RV Yokosuka RV Nisshin Maru
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
JS Suma (AGS-5103) JS Wakasa (AGS-5104) AGS Shōnan AGS Nichinan AGS Futami
Republic of Korea
Korea Polar Research Institute
RV Araon (2009)
Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology
RV Dokdo Nuri RV EARDO (1992) RV ISABU (2016) RV JANGMOK 1 RV JANGMOK 2 RV ONNURI (1992)
Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources
Tamhae 3 (2024)
Survey vessels
ROKS Sincheonji ROKS Sinsegi
Kazakhstan Kanysh Satpayev (2014)
Survey vessels
Jaiyq (2008)
Latvia (EU)
Kapteinis Orle
Maritime Administration of Latvia
Kristiāns Dāls (2001) Sonārs (2014) Blesser 505 WA
Lebanon RV CANA-CNRS
Lithuania (EU)
Ministry of Environment
Vėjūnas (2012)
Klaipėda University
RV Mintis
Luxembourg (EU)
GEOxyz
GEO OCEAN III to GEO OCEAN IX GEOSURVEYOR I, IV, V, VI, VIII, IX, XI, XII, XVI, XVII, XXI
Mauritania RV Almoravide RV N´diago RV Al Awam RV Amrigue
Morocco
National Institute of Fisheries Research RV Al Hassan Al Marrakchi RV Ibn Sina II (2023)
Royal Moroccan Navy
Dar Al Beida (2019)
Namibia
RV Mirabilis
Netherlands (EU)
RV Tyro (1979-1993)
RV Navicula RV Stern RV Tridens RV Isis
Survey vessels
(1929-1942) (1952-1972) (1952-1973) (10 November 1976 - 3 June 2004; sold and renamed Plancius in 2007) (2003) (2004)
New Zealand
(1969-1991) (1991)
Survey vessels
SMB Adventure (1998) HMNZS Lachlan (F364) (1949–1975) HMNZS Manawanui (2019) (1975–1997) (1997-2012) (1980–2000) (1980–2000) (1956–1967) (1970–1997)
Nigeria
Nigerian Navy
NNS Lana (2021) NNS Zhizoko (2024)
Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research
RV Bayagbona (2014)
Norway
RV G.M. Dannevig RV Johan Hjort RV Helmer Hanssen (Jan Mayen) RV Håkon Mosby RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen Kronprins Haakon (2018) RV Johan Ruud RV G.O. Sars RV Trygve Braarud RV Bjørn Føyn RV Lance RV Gunnerus
Oman
RV Al-Jamiah
Pakistan PNS Behr Paima
Peru
BIC Humboldt (1978) BAP Carrasco (2017) BIC Olaya BIC Flores
Philippines BRP Fort San Antonio (AM-700) BRP Fort Abad (AM-701) MV DA BFAR BRP Gregorio Velasquez (AGR 702)
Poland (EU)
RV Birkut (retired) RV Doktor Lubecki (retired) RV Hydromet (retired) ORP Planeta (retired) RV Pomorzanin (retired) RV Professor Bogucki (retired) RV Wieczno (retired) ORP Zodiak (retired)
Polish Academy of Sciences
National Marine Fisheries Research Institute
RV Ewa (1928-1939) RV Profesor Siedlecki (1974-1992) RV Baltica (1993)
University of Gdańsk
RV Oceanograf 1 RV Oceanograf 2
Gdynia Maritime University
MS Horyzont II RV IMOR
Maritime University of Szczecin
MS Nawigator XXI
National Maritime Museum, Gdańsk
RV Kaszubski Brzeg (1984-2007)
Survey vessels
ORP Kopernik
Portugal (EU)
Portuguese Navy
NRP Dom Carlos I NRP Almirante Gago Coutinho NRP Andrómeda NRP Auriga NRP Almeida Carvalho (1972-2002)
Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere
NI Mário Ruivo NI Noruega NI Diplodus NI Tellina (2003-2019) NI Capricórnio (1994-2008)
University of Azores
NI Arquipélago
Romania (EU) Istros RV Mare Nigrum REXDAN Research Vessel
Saudi Arabia
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
RV Thuwal II (2026)
Senegal
ITAF DEME (2021)
Soviet Union/Russia
Source:
Decommissioned
South Africa
Africana S.A. Agulhas S.A. Agulhas II Ellen KhuzwayoEllen Khuzwayo RV Observer RV Phakisa
Survey vessels
SAS Protea (A324)
Spain (EU)
Spanish Navy
BIO A-33 Hespérides
Spanish National Research Council
RV Sarmiento de Gamboa BO Odón de Buen (2024) BO García del Cid BO Mytilus
Instituto Español de Oceanografía BIO Angeles Alvariño BIO Ramón Margalef
Secretaría General del Mar BIO Miguel Oliver BIO Intermares BIO Emma Bardán
Survey vessels
A-23 Antares A-24 Rigel A-31 Malaspina A-32 Tofiño A-91 Astrolabio A-92 Escándalo
Sweden (EU)
RV Oscar von Sydow (1976) RV Skagerak (1968) RV Skagerak (2017; 2021–present) RV Svea (2019) IB Oden (1988) SV Ocean Surveyor (1984) R/V Electra af Askö (2016) R/V Jacob Hägg (1982) R/V Botnica (1989)
Thailand
Department of Marine and Coastal Resources
PAKARANG 805 807
Tunisia RV Hannibal (1998) Salammbo (1992)
Turkey
Taiwan (Republic of China)
Taiwan Ocean Research Institute
(operated by National Taiwan University) (operated by National Taiwan Ocean University) (operated by National Sun Yat-sen University)
National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium
(operated by National Dong Hwa University Graduate Institute of Marine Biology)
Republic of China Navy
Ukraine
Borys Aleksandrov Noosfera
UAE
RV Jaywun (2023)
United Kingdom
Natural Environment Research Council
Plymouth Marine Laboratory Plymouth Marine Laboratory Plymouth Marine Laboratory