Team Malizia Sets Sail On A New Mission With Their Malizia Explorer Research Vessel
by Team Malizia 6 May 12:04 PDT
Malizia Explorer © Flore Hartout | Team Malizia
Boris Herrmann's Team Malizia is upscaling their climate research efforts with a new sailboat, Malizia Explorer, dedicated to science, communication and outreach.
This new project builds on the team's core mission: while continuing to race and collect scientific data with Malizia - Seaexplorer, the team will expand their efforts with Malizia Explorer to carry out dedicated research expeditions. Building on the success of their A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now! mission, the team is calling for collaborators, scientific projects, and partners to support this bold initiative. Already on board as a key partner is Reederei F. Laeisz, along with renowned scientific institutions AWI, GEOMAR, Hereon, and UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
6 May 2025, Berlin - Boris Herrmann and Team Malizia are proud to announce an exciting new chapter in their mission to further Ocean science and inspire ambitious climate action: the acquisition of a sailing research vessel. Named Malizia Explorer, the research vessel marks a significant step forward in the team's ongoing efforts to collect data in remote and relevant Ocean regions, further scientific research, and raise public awareness about the crucial role the Ocean plays in our climate system.
The announcement was made by skipper Boris Herrmann today, on 6 May 2025, live on stage at the German Ocean Conference in Berlin. The event, which brings together key stakeholders from government, science, industry, NGOs, and civil society took place on the same day as the inauguration of the new German government and election of the chancellor, making it especially timely for influencing national priorities on climate and Ocean health. It serves as a platform for Germany to shape and communicate its marine and climate policy, especially in the lead-up to international events like the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, France (9-13 June) or COP30 (Brazil, 10-21 November). Speaking to an audience deeply engaged in Ocean and climate issues, Boris Herrmann, known for advocating more ambitious climate action with his team, underscored their ongoing commitment to Ocean protection and emphasised the urgent need for collective action.
Since 2018, Team Malizia has combined high-level offshore racing with a deep commitment to science and education through their A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now! mission. Equipped with an Ocean Pack, a mini laboratory aboard their IMOCA racing yacht Malizia - Seaexplorer, the team has collected vital data on CO2 levels, sea-surface temperature and salinity, contributing to key scientific publications such as the Global Carbon Budget and the IPCC report. During many races over the years, they have also deployed several instruments like drifter buoys and Argo floats in undersampled regions of the world's Ocean. Through their My Ocean Challenge programme, they have engaged more than 80,000 children since 2018, using the adventure of sailing to spark interest in Ocean science and climate solutions.
Now, Team Malizia is taking their commitment a step further. While continuing their efforts to support science as they race around the world with their IMOCA, the team will venture even deeper into the heart of Ocean and climate research with their new 85-foot (25,99 m) aluminum sailing research vessel. The boat, which can travel to any part of the world, will reach even more remote regions, get closer to the poles, while expanding the diversity of scientific missions and the people on board.
The vessel underwent refit in Lorient this winter and is currently being equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, including an Ocean Pack for continuous data collection and a CTD rosette for water sampling, essential tools for studying the impact of climate change on our Ocean.
The new research vessel is more than just a platform for scientific discovery, it's a step towards uniting sailors, scientists, and creatives to give the Ocean a voice. Team Malizia's vision is to let science guide the expeditions, using their unique global platform to share findings, inspire the public, educate and drive meaningful action. "Our mission has always been about raising awareness around climate change and the Ocean," says Boris Herrmann. "This research vessel is a natural evolution of our team's mission which allows us to expand our impact, venturing to new regions, collaborating with scientists, and communicating the urgent message about Ocean health and climate change. We want to not only collect data but also bring the story of what's happening beneath the surface to life."
Launched in April 2025, the vessel will be christened in Monaco on 6 June 2025, a few days before World Ocean Day and UNOC, by world-renowned oceanographer, explorer, and Ocean ambassador Dr Sylvia Earle (more details coming soon). After sailing in the Mediterranean, a region that offers both rich scientific value and strong opportunities for public engagement, Malizia Explorer will carry out its first main mission in the Antarctic. In the years to come, further expeditions will take place around the world, including in the Arctic. As Team Malizia starts this journey, they are actively seeking crew members, research projects, and partners to join this exciting mission.
The initiative is supported by key partner Reederei F. Laeisz, a German shipping company with extensive experience in operating research vessels and who are partnering with the project to advance Malizia Explorer's scientific mission. Nikolaus H. Schües, CEO of Reederei F. Laeisz, comments: "It's a real privilege for us to support Boris Herrmann's team and this sailing research vessel, as our values are very much aligned: Driving progress in Ocean science and accelerating the decarbonisation of shipping, which lies at the core of our activities."
The project has also established partnerships with leading scientific institutions and coordinating organisations, including GEOMAR, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Hereon, SOOP (Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities), OceanOPS (IOC/UNESCO & WMO), the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), and the Prince Albert II Foundation. Together, they will collaborate on specific missions over the next years and contribute to equipping the vessel with a wide range of scientific instruments, and support the processing, management, and scientific interpretation of the collected data.
The project has also gained support from technical supplier partners such as Gleistein and Peter Frisch GmbH - Musto to fit out the boat with new ropes where needed, and to kit out the research vessel crew. B&G provided the electronics and SEA.AI gave one of their state of the art anti-collision technology systems to detect objects in the sea. All the partners are united by the shared goal of advancing climate research and creating global awareness.
Skipper Oliver Heer, who also raced in the Vendée Globe 2024-2025, and the Swiss Polar Institute (SPI) are providing their OceanPack to Malizia's research vessel this year. SPI will also be involved in data analysis with ETH Zurich and the Universities of Bern and Lausanne, showcasing once again how the offshore racing and scientific communities are working together to enhance Ocean research.
With this new venture, Team Malizia reaffirms their role as both a sports team and Ocean ambassadors. By combining the adrenaline of offshore racing with the power of science and storytelling, they hope to inspire action from political decision-makers, engage the public, and push the boundaries of Ocean research.
The Malizia Explorer sailing research vessel was only made possible thanks to the support of companies and institutions that believed in the project and helped launch it: Reederei F. Laeisz, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), Hereon, SOOP (Shaping an Ocean Of Possibilities), OceanOPS (support center of the Global Ocean Observing System GOOS (jointly run by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and World Meteorological Organization WMO), the Prince Albert II Foundation, Gleistein, Peter Frisch GmbH - Musto, B&G and SEA.AI.
Stay tuned for more updates on the vessel's christening, upcoming expeditions, and ways to get involved. If you would like to partner with this project please contact oona@borisherrmannracing.com or visit the website www.malizia-explorer.com
Team Malizia's A Race We Must Win - Climate Action Now! mission is only possible due to the strong and long-lasting commitment from its seven main partners: the Yacht Club de Monaco, EFG International, Zurich Group Germany, Kuehne+Nagel, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Hapag-Lloyd, and Schütz. These partners band behind Team Malizia to support its campaign, each of them working towards projects in their own field to innovate around climate solutions.
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