Valmet will supply a mission-critical automation system for the new Polarstern. This is a next-generation polar research vessel that will operate in Arctic and Antarctic climate and marine research. The Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), has ordered the vessel. TKMS is building it, and delivery is planned for the year 2030.
– The polar ice conditions in the Arctic and Antarctic are the harshest in the world and require absolute reliability. Thanks to Valmet’s automation technology, the vessel’s systems are secure and operationally reliable. Since the new Polarstern will operate at the forefront of international research for decades, we are ready to support the vessel throughout its entire lifecycle and keep the automation system up to date, says Heikki Tanner, Sales Manager, Process and Marine Automation Systems at Valmet.
Valmet’s automation system optimizes operations and reduces environmental impact in the new Polarstern icebreaker.
– The new Polarstern is more than a vessel; it is a platform for understanding the climate and our planet. We are proud to be able to support AWI’s mission with automation that improves operational efficiency and promotes the responsible use of resources in the most demanding conditions by reducing fuel consumption and optimizing energy flows, says Hédi Azzouz, Business Manager, Energy, Process and Marine Automation Systems at Valmet.
The order was included in Valmet’s orders received in the third quarter of 2025. The value of the order was not disclosed.
Information about the new Polarstern
The new Polarstern provides accommodation for a crew of 50 and research capabilities for up to 90 researchers. In addition to its scientific mission, the new Polarstern performs an important logistical task by supplying the German Neumayer Station III research base, which operates year-round in Antarctica.
The vessel will be equipped with a state-of-the-art propulsion system and has the readiness to use green methanol. An integrated battery system enables silent and emission-free operation during sensitive measurements.
The current Polarstern has been in service with AWI since 1982. It has served as a central platform for international polar research and has enabled multidisciplinary research in climate science, oceanography, and marine biology, often in collaboration with global partners.
Delivery technical details
The delivery includes Valmet’s machinery automation system, covering machinery, power management, emergency shutdown, and condition monitoring. Valmet will also supply lifecycle services from predictive maintenance to continuous updates, so that the system evolves according to the vessel’s needs.
