The research vessel Isabu^(*), operated by the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST, President Lee Hyi Seung) has traveled around the globe eight times (total distance covered: 313,010 km) since its commissioning, conducting research on marine resource development and climate change. The R/V Isabu has showcased Korea’s capacity for ocean research, both domestically and internationally.

* Specifications: 5,894 tons / Commissioned on November 16, 2016 / Passenger capacity: 60 persons / Equipped with multibeam echo sounder (MBES) and other observation equipment

The Korea-US Joint Observation Study of the Indian Ocean using the RV Isabu was a collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a global leader in ocean research, and KIOST, demonstrating Korea’s world-class ocean exploration capabilities.

In the first half of this year, the Isabu sailed to the Indian Ocean to engage in the Indian Ocean Seabed Hydrothermal Deposits^(*) Development Project (2021 ？ 2026, KRW 17.6 billion), a national R&D project under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and the Korea-US Joint Observation Study of the Indian Ocean. From April 24 to May 20, 2024, a team of KIOST researchers (led by senior researcher Kim Jonguk) conducted a 27-day survey of seven hydrothermal ore bodies in the high seas of the Indian Ocean, where Korea has secured exclusive exploration rights, to identify the scale and topographic structure of the ore bodies exposed on the seabed. A detailed exploration, including evaluation of the suitability for development in consideration of the deep-sea marine environment, will be conducted in the future.

* Hydrothermal ore deposits: Metal-rich deposits formed by the reaction of rock with high-temperature seawater that seeps into the crust. These deposits are economically feasible as they contain metals like gold, copper, and zinc.

Currently, Korea has exploration concessions for deep sea mineral resources in five regions^(*), including the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In the second half of the year, the Isabu is set to explore the exclusive manganese crust concession (3,000 square kilometers) in the high seas of the western Pacific Ocean, which is roughly 350 times the land area of Yeouido.

* These exploration concessions include three in the high seas (seafloor hydrothermal deposits, manganese crust, and manganese nodules) and two in the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of Tonga and Fiji (seafloor hydrothermal deposits) (a total area of 98,700 [KH1] km², larger than Korea) for maritime economic activities.

The Isabu was also deployed for the Korea-US Joint Observation Study of the Indian Ocean in the first half of 2024 to address climate change and successfully carried out its mission. In June, a KIOST research team (led by senior researcher Kang Dong-jin), in collaboration with NOAA, succeeded in installing the world's first surface mooring (RAMA-K^(*)) in the tropical waters of the western Indian Ocean. This mooring system can simultaneously observe atmospheric conditions and the seafloor at a depth of 4,000 meters. The data collected through this research is expected to be utilized as essential to understanding the fluctuations of the Indian Ocean marine environment and their impact on the climate of the Northeast Asian region.

* RAMA-K is a combination of Korea's underwater mooring technology (St. K) and the U.S. RAMA buoy.

Moreover, the Isabu has played an important part in ocean and climate research activities, including the discovery of new hydrothermal vents in the deep Indian Ocean, and studies on the causes of super typhoons in the Pacific and high temperatures around the Korean Peninsula.

“The commissioning of the Isabu has positioned Korea as a leader in full-scale ocean exploration and laid the foundation for KIOST as a leader in this field,” said KIOST President Lee Hyi Seung. “We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with the international community, industry, academia, and research institutes so that KIOST's infrastructure and research achievements can contribute to Korea's advancement as a maritime powerhouse.”