Welcome to the Arctic Research Vessel Website

Eisuke Akane,
Director,
Project Office for Arctic Research Vessel (PARV)

Welcome to the Arctic Research Vessel Project website.
This website shares updates on the construction and operational preparation of the JAMSTEC Arctic Research Vessel, under construction since 2021.
Please check this page for news, information, and other updates on the new JAMSTEC Arctic Research Vessel.

This will be Japan's first research vessel with ice-breaking capabilities and is being built to take on a wide range of research and observation of atmospheric, meteorological, and oceanographic phenomena in the Arctic.
The current schedule has the vessel entering service in 2026.

The Arctic Ocean is undergoing significant environmental change, particularly with sea ice reduction and ocean acidification due to global warming; it’s become obvious that the effects of this are not limited to the Arctic but are affecting the entire globe as a whole. The recent bouts of heavy snowfall in Japan are an excellent example of these phenomena. In addition, the reduction of sea ice has led to an increase in socioeconomic activities in the Arctic Ocean, and these cause a major challenge in keeping the balance between environmental conservation and socioeconomic activities.

The world needs a solid understanding of the science involved to tackle these challenges and ensure sustainable use of the Arctic Ocean, and as a basis to discuss various rules and mechanisms for cooperation with all concerned countries. At this point, there is a definite lack of proper observation data and a distinct need to enhance our scientific knowledge of the region.

Japan has been engaged in full-scale research activities in the Arctic Ocean since the 1990s and has achieved some progress. The new Arctic Research Vessel will allow Japan to expand and enhance research activities, contribute to the enrichment of observational data, and generate scientific knowledge. One key requirement is that these efforts need to be international in scope and cooperation, so the operation of this new vessel as an international research platform is our ultimate goal.
This means we need to propose and facilitate advanced research and observations in collaboration with interested countries, while also fostering the next generations of Arctic researchers.

So we are dedicated to the successful construction and operation of the new JAMSTEC Arctic Research Vessel and ensuring that the vessel will be able to meet these goals as soon as it enters into service.

Thanks for your understanding & support.