Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg has opened the Norwegian Ocean Laboratory at Marineholmen in Bergen.
The laboratory will host world-class research infrastructure and facilitate collaborative cross-border technology development for ocean research.
Bergen institutes host several national research infrastructures. Several of these will be combined in the Norwegian Ocean Laboratory to strengthen the clusters world-class deep-marine research capability.
Important activities include mapping of marine mineral resources, bioprospecting, establishing fish quota, monitor climate change and possible effects of petroleum activities.
Engineers, researcher and students from both industry and universities will work closely together to develop the next generation integrated monitoring technology and methodology. The locations will be used to maintain and mobilise equipment for a wide range of test cruises. The facility will also include offices and will operate the new ocean observatory in Lofoten-Vesterålen.
The lab is in the core of the GCE Subsea strategy, creating a joint innovation platform to establishing new projects, solutions and companies says Jon O. Hellevang, Senior Subsea Innovator in GCE Subsea.
The laboratory is initiated by the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research. The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment has become partner, and Bergen University College and Christian Michelsen Research are about to join.
The University of Bergen hosts important national R&D infrastructures such as National Marine Robotics Facility and Norwegian Atlantic Current Observatory. This includes a state-of-the art remotely operated vehicle that can operate down to 6000m depths as well as several autonomous underwater vehicles and gliders.
The Institute of Marine Research operates six research vessels that are important platforms for testing new technology, supporting annual marine mapping missions and a wide range of international R&D projects.