Polarstern research icebreaker reaches two million nautical miles

The German research icebreaker Polarstern reached a milestone of two million nautical miles on August 26, 2026. Since entering service on December 9, 1982, the vessel has covered approximately 3.7 million kilometers, a distance equivalent to over 92 circumnavigations of the Earth at the equator.

Operating with a crew of approximately 40 people, the ship supports international teams of up to 55 researchers. These teams study various environmental processes, ranging from the seabed and water column to sea ice and the atmosphere. Captain Felix Kentges reported the milestone was recorded at 14:31 ship’s time at coordinates 85°05.7’N, 018°57.0’E.

While the Polarstern has served as a reliable research platform for over 40 years, a successor vessel is scheduled to replace it in 2030 due to maintenance, operating costs, and evolving requirements.