The ship was originally built in 1914 as a training ship for the German merchant navy and was purchased in 1923 by the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA) and transferred to the Bergen School Ship Foundation the following year. Photo credits: Richard Sibley.

Palau – Statsraad Lemkuhl, one of the world’s largest and oldest square-riggers still sailing, is set to arrive in Palau on 25 August 2022. The vessel is currently on One Ocean Expedition, a campaign that is recognized as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, which aims to create attention and share knowledge about the crucial role of the ocean for sustainable development in a global perspective.

The ship started its expedition sailing from the port of Arendal, Norway, visiting more than 20 ports around the world before arriving to Palau.

Norway is taking a leading role promoting clean and healthy oceans around the world.

Norway and Palau successively hosted the “Our Oceans” conference in 2019 and 2022, respectively, which serves as a dialogue platform to facilitate concrete commitments for the protection of the ocean. Today, both countries are members of the High-level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, which promotes the development of a sustainable ocean economy to ensure a more resilient future for people and the planet.

The 107-year-old ship is fitted with state-of-the-art research equipment, capable of collecting high-quality data continuously throughout the journey. It is also equipped with modern instrumentation measuring levels of CO₂, micro-plastic, ocean acidification and ocean temperature. It also serves as a floating university and training vessel combined, bringing students, scientists, trainees, and professionals together on different legs. 

The ship is going to be docked at the being docked at the Malakal Harbour and will set sail to Japan on the 27th of August joined by 10 students from Palau as part of the expedition. (END)

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