Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has been awarded the contract to build the new Polarstern for the Alfred Wegener Institute at its Wismar shipyard, with a planned delivery date in 2030.
Polarstern 2 will cost an estimated 1.185 billion euros (US$1.235 billion) and will measure in at 160 metres in length overall and 27 metres in beam, and accommodate up to 90 scientists and 50 crew members.
Planned operational capacity is for over 300 days a year, even under extreme ice and weather conditions, with eco-friendly propulsion using green methanol and advanced exhaust gas cleaning systems.
Polarstern 2 will be equipped with helicopters, drones, underwater robots, and a moonpool for complex diving robots, and will undertake research on climate, ecosystems and the wider marine environment.
"We are very pleased that the new building of the Polarstern 2 has been awarded to our site in Wismar," commented Oliver Burkhard, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems CEO. "The decision is a vote of confidence in Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to demonstrate its capabilities in the civilian sector as well.
"In addition, the decision shows that we can offer technological excellence at internationally competitive conditions. Moving forward in shipbuilding with new sustainable propulsion technologies is also a major task that we will be happy to dedicate ourselves to.
"In the future, we could create around 1,500 jobs in the underwater and above-water areas at full capacity."