{"id":239,"date":"2024-08-22T16:26:58","date_gmt":"2024-08-22T14:26:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/polarstern.awi.de?page_id=239"},"modified":"2025-01-27T17:57:32","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T16:57:32","slug":"sustainability","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/polarstern.awi.de\/en\/sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n

Sustainability<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n
\n
\n

A pioneer in the ice<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n

For a polar research vessel that operates in fragile habitats, it is extremely important to put more focus on sustainability. Thanks to advanced concepts and cutting-edge technologies, the new Polarstern will be one of the environmentally-friendliest icebreakers in the world.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n \"\" <\/figure>\n\n\n
Innovative technologies and sustainable materials for the future of polar and marine research.<\/blockquote>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n \"\" <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n

Full speed ahead<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
\n \n

Very few ships have to meet as many different requirements as research icebreakers. The new Polarstern will at times serve as a floating research station, meaning she\u2019ll have to hold position and provide sufficient electricity for onboard operations using her own systems. She\u2019ll be expected to deliver more speed when in transit to her operating areas \u2013 and there will also be days when she will need to pour on the power in order to break through dense multiyear ice. Adapting to these disparate situations as (energy-) efficiently as possible poses a considerable challenge. Electric power is provided by an advanced combination of multiple generators and high-performance battery packs. For normal operations and power generation, the ship will chiefly rely on \u201cdual-fuel\u201d generators, which can run on either conventional diesel or biofuels like HVO and methanol. Although sustainably produced methanol offers an environmentally friendlier alternative to fossil diesel, it won\u2019t be possible to exclusively run on it \u2013 firstly, because it\u2019s not yet available at enough ports around the globe, and secondly, because the new Polarstern will carry with her fuel reserves for an emergency overwintering: no matter how efficient a given icebreaker is, there\u2019s always the possibility of becoming trapped in the ice for an extended period. Given its higher energy density, which means more of it can be stored in the same amount of space, diesel is better suited than methanol in this regard.
When methanol is combusted, roughly half of the energy \u2013 just like with diesel \u2013 is released as heat. In the interest of sustainability, this heat will contribute to efficient ship operations: as much of it as possible will be captured and used to heat the cabins and labs and provide hot water, but also to warm important areas of the deck. Another focus is on reducing pollutants in the ship\u2019s exhaust. Accordingly, the new Polarstern will be equipped with cutting-edge particulate matter filters, catalytic converters, and a urea injection system to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n

Coatings, wood and steel<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
\n \n

When it comes to the new Polarstern, various aspects of sustainability were considered. Shipyards vying for the construction tender not only had to meet stringent criteria for environmental management, occupational safety and health, transparently document their supply chain, and confirm their use of certified materials; it was also crucial that they chiefly use sustainable materials to build the ship. This applies e.g. to the wood used for the deck, the interior furnishings, and the large quantities of lacquers, oils and other coatings needed on ships. But one of the largest material items concerns the steel needed for the ship\u2019s hull, no less than 14,000 metric tons. Making that much steel produces massive amounts of carbon dioxide: two tons of CO2 per ton of steel is the standard ratio. Since there is no viable alternative to steel given the ship\u2019s operating areas, the amount used will be kept to a minimum. For example, the shipyard\u2019s modern production facilities will optimally reduce waste. In addition, the plan is to use green electricity for the manufacture and welding of the ship\u2019s individual sections, keeping the carbon footprint as small as possible. Despite these challenges, there is every indication that the original Polarstern\u2019s successor will easily meet and exceed the criteria for the Blue Angel certification for environmentally friendly ship design.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n \"\" <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
The new Polarstern will be a particularly quiet ship to minimise the acoustic impact on the oceans.<\/blockquote>\n\n\n
\n \"\" <\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n

Quiet and clean<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
\n \n

On her research cruises, the new Polarstern will frequently be underway in fragile and largely untouched areas \u2013 where the goal is to leave as small a footprint as possible. Accordingly, the new research icebreaker has been designed to operate with minimum environmental impact. That\u2019s possible thanks in part to modern wastewater treatment systems referred to as membrane ultra-filtration systems, which remove nearly all undesired elements, like microplastic but also nutrients, from wastewater. In addition, the hydraulic oils used on deck will be biodegradable. The hull will be sheathed in an ultrahard coating that remains virtually unscathed by contact with ice. This represents a major advancement compared to the situation on most other ships, where paint particles constantly flake off the hull, releasing biocides from their antifouling components \u2013 chemicals designed to prevent the accumulation of algae, bivalves and other marine organisms \u2013 into the water. To avoid these \u201cstowaways\u201d on the new Polarstern, the ship employs a targeted, high-tech system. In addition to regularly scheduled hull cleaning, the differences in water temperatures when underway from one research area to the other also help in this regard \u2013 since very few organisms can withstand these extreme temperature changes. In addition to pollutants, the noise produced by ships can be a problem for marine fauna \u2013 e.g. by disrupting the natural behaviour of fish or communication between whales. Consequently, the new Polarstern will run extremely quietly, primarily even keeping below the underwater noise limits set by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Adhering to these limits is voluntary, and the new Polarstern will be the first of her kind to do so.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n

Clearing the way<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n
\n \n

The new Polarstern will be as accessible as possible, chiefly in the interest of those with physical disabilities. At the same time, this will facilitate the scientific work done on board. After all, on research icebreakers, heavy equipment and cargo containers have to be moved on a daily basis \u2013 and every unnecessary threshold and tight corridor makes it more difficult. Narrow staircases and doors that can\u2019t open and close at the push of a button can quickly become obstacles. Considering such aspects is not yet commonplace in shipping, except on ocean liners. But when it comes to the design of the new Polarstern, many aspects were reconsidered from the ground up.
Another major issue: ensuring people can find their way about the ship as easily as possible. For the ship\u2019s crew, this might not be a problem \u2013 but the goal is for guests and expedition participants on board for the first time to also manage. In this regard, solutions like raised tactile markings on the handrails and assigning a different colour to each deck can help. They can also be particularly valuable in emergencies, saving precious time.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n

The polar regions as habitat<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
\n