Effective research in Ocean, Coastal and Polar Sciences requires an efficient and specialized suite of research platforms and infrastructure. This includes ice breaking research vessels, year round stations, both in the Arctic and Antarctic, with attached observatories, aircraft and vehicles specially adapted for the polar environment and also medium sized and small research vessels capable for multidisciplinary research in shelf seas and coastal regions. These instruments for field research must be matched by appropriate laboratory facilities, ranging from cutting edge analytical tools to labs for controlled experiments simulating natural conditions. Increasingly important are the availability of high performance computational facilities and knowledge base information systems. Reaching the goals of this programme with its inherent longterm engagement requires the continuing availability of this research infrastructure including its continuous modernisation.

Additional information on AWI's infrastructure can be found under Infrastructure