Joint Vietnam-France Oceanographic Survey trip in Vietnamese waters by ANTEA scientific research ship departs

26/06/2024

On May 28, 2024, at Hai Phong Port, the joint Vietnam-France Oceanographic Survey trip in Vietnam's coastal waters, using ANTEA scientific research ship, officially departed. The survey takes place from May 28 to July 11, 2024, starting in the waters of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh and ending in the waters of Tra Vinh and Soc Trang. This is a scientific activity within the framework of a cooperation project between the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the French Institute for Research for Development (IRD) "Research on material transport from the continent and their impact on environment, coastal ecosystems of Vietnam", referred to as PLUME (Particle transport along river plumes and their impact on coastal ecosystems of Vietnam).

French Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vietnam, Director of the Institute of Marine Resources and Environment and Chief Representative of IRD in Vietnam inspect the preparations for the survey transfer on ANTEA ship

Research activities within the framework of this survey focus on marine physical processes, sediments, biogeochemical and optical processes in coastal estuaries, thereby providing the latest results, synchronous and systematic results on material flows transported from the river plume and their effects on the environment and ecosystems of Vietnam's coastal waters. Participating in the PLUME were 16 scientists from major French research institutes and 18 scientists from VAST.

The ANTEA ship left Hai Phong port to conduct measurements and samples in the northern coastal region

It is expected that the scientific data collected during the investigation will be jointly analyzed and shared by scientists from both sides to further clarify the nature of the process of transporting organic substances from the continent to coastal waters. This is a scientific basis that creates a premise for future research, contributing to solving the problem of sustainable management of Vietnam's coastal resources and environment to serve national socio-economic development.

This joint France-Vietnam Oceanographic Survey aimed at celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the cooperative relationship between the two sides and was also the biggest event celebrating the 80^thanniversary of the establishment of IRD.

ANTEA is a small scientific research ship, belonging to the French Oceanographic Fleet, with a length of about 35m, a width of about 11.9m and moving at a speed of about 18.5km/h. The ANTEA ship is equipped with the latest generation of rapid measuring equipment (ADCP, CTD, SIMRAD, SBE21-38, ...) and modern sampling facilities. On the ship, there are two specialized laboratories (Oceanography, Environment and marine biodiversity), with workplaces for 10 scientists and 13 crew members.

Several photos of ANTEA ship's activities: