1. Iran’s Leadership in Marine Research

Iran has played a pioneering role in marine science and research, particularly in fisheries and environmental studies. The country has prioritized applied research to identify and evaluate economic fish species and assess marine ecosystems.

2. History of Iranian Fisheries Research

• The first Iranian research vessels, “Rashgo” and “Sangsar”, were introduced in 1937 with Danish cooperation.
• From the 1950s onward, modern fisheries research vessels such as “Persia,” “Dargahan,” “Lavan,” “Firdous,” and “Akhtar” were added to Iran’s research fleet.
• Research activities expanded to the Caspian Sea with the introduction of the “Gilan” vessel, which resumed operations in 2018 after a decade-long hiatus.

3. Expansion of Iran’s Marine Research Fleet

From the late 1980s to the 1990s, Iran developed its research capabilities by constructing or purchasing specialized research vessels:

• Fisheries Research: “Research 1 & 2,” “Kavosh,” “Caspian Explorer”
• Hydrography & Seismography: “Persian Gulf Probe,” “Persian Gulf Hydrography”
• Oil & Gas Exploration: “Exploration,” “Akam 60 & 110”

A milestone achievement was the construction of the “Persian Gulf Probe” in 2015, the first modern oceanographic research vessel in the region. It plays a crucial role in environmental monitoring across the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman.

4. Challenges in Marine Research Fleet Operations

Despite advancements, Iran faces several challenges in maintaining its research fleet:

✔ Budget constraints leading to decommissioning of vessels.

✔ Aging fleet with many vessels reaching the end of operational life.

✔ Human errors in navigation, resulting in accidents or vessel loss.

✔ Lack of investment in modern research vessels.

Currently, only 14 vessels are operational in marine research, categorized as follows:

• 6 vessels for fisheries research.
• 1 vessel for oceanography.
• 7 vessels for geological exploration, hydrography, and mapping.

Among these, only 5 vessels (“Firdous 1,” “Persian Gulf Explorer,” “Iran Abnagar,” “Iktashaf,” and “Akam”) are IMO-registered and trackable in global marine traffic systems.

5. Future Research Needs & Investment Opportunities

By 2025, Iran requires 32 research vessels to meet national marine research demands. This calls for:

✔ Investment in new research vessels and modernization of existing ones.

✔ International cooperation in research vessel construction and technology transfer.

✔ Expansion of maritime education programs to train skilled researchers and vessel operators.