Aurora Borealis Roadmap

The initial stage of the development of a European polar research vessel began in Alfred Wegener Institute for Marine and Polar Research (AWI) in the Helmholtz Association, Germany. Leaning on the first science perspective document produced by the EPB in 2004, the AWI drew up a project for preparatory works for AURORA BOREALIS. This project, funded by the German government, detailed the final engineering work for the vessel’s construction and resulted in a complete technical design and full tendering documentation for the new icebreaker. The technical feasibility and design study was completed in mid-2009.

Additionally, science plans and technical requirements for the research ship were disscused with the European science community at workshops in different European countries, such as Italy, Norway, Russia, Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands.

The ERICON-AB consortium was launched in March 2008. Coordinated by the European Science Foundation, the project started a new phase of the ship's development generating the strategic, legal, financial and organisational frameworks for the construction and running of AURORA BOREALIS. Apart from the necessary administrative structures for joint European ownership and operations of the vessel, a common scientific managing body has to be set up to handle large-scale, multi-year, mission specific research programmes. The final aim of the project is to reach an agreement with European countries and European Commission committing to the construction and operation of the vessel. The ERICON-AB is funded by the EC’s 7th Framework Programme and involves 15 partners from 10 European countries.

This preparatory phase is planned to be completed in 2012 when actual construction works should begin, followed by sea trials and testing procedures. In 2014 the new European polar research ship will set sail with an operational lifetime of 35 – 40 years.

Continue on:

• Scientific relevance

• Technical details

• Basic figures

Go back to:

• Focus On Aurora Borealis home