12 March 2026 – The research vessel (R/V) Dr. Fridtjof Nansen has safely arrived in the port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, following its departure from Muscat earlier this month.
The vessel left Oman after the second leg of the planned research survey programme was postponed due to the evolving security situation in the Middle East. The decision was taken following a joint assessment with partners involved, including the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries Wealth and Water Resources (MAFWR) in Oman, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Norad , and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We took this decision based on an overall assessment of the security situation in the area and in consultation with the partners involved. At this stage, it is not possible to say when the vessel can resume the planned survey activities in Oman,” said Inge André Utåker, Fleet Director at the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) that is operating the vessel.
All crew and personnel on board are safe and well cared for, and preparations are now underway to resume scientific work in the waters around Sri Lanka as soon as possible.
Participants and crew gathered aboard the R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen before the vessel left Oman. ©FAO/Peter Psomadakis
The R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is at the center of the EAF-Nansen Programme, the longest-running fisheries development initiative of FAO and Norway which marked its 50 year anniversary in 2025. Implemented in close collaboration with IMR, regional organizations and 33 partner countries in Africa and the Bay of Bengal, it supports sustainable fisheries management for food and nutrition security.
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