A new survey vessel with Visby as its home port strengthens the opportunities for long term ocean observations in the Baltic Sea and provides capacity for research missions further offshore.
Visby, 3 September 2026 – Voice of the Ocean (VOTO) is strengthening its capacity for marine research and ocean observation through the addition of Ocean Focus, the largest research vessel to date within the VOTO family. The vessel has been acquired by the shipping company MidOcean and will have Visby on Gotland as its legal home port.
The investment is part of Voice of the Ocean’s long-term commitment to the infrastructure required to increase knowledge of the ocean. Through vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles, advanced measurement technology and access to the sea, the Foundation creates the conditions for researchers to collect data and monitor marine environments over time.
The Baltic Sea remains central to Voice of the Ocean’s work. It is one of the world’s most studied seas, but at the same time a sea under significant pressure from factors including climate change, eutrophication and loss of biodiversity. Long-term observations are essential for understanding changes in real time and providing research and decision-makers with a stronger knowledge base.
With Ocean Focus, the opportunities to work across larger geographical areas also increase. The vessel’s size, range and technical capacity enable longer and more complex research missions and strengthen the conditions for supporting scientific collaborations beyond the Baltic Sea.
“We need to invest significantly more in our ability to understand the ocean. For us as a philanthropic actor, this is not only about funding individual research projects, but also about contributing to infrastructure that makes research possible. Ocean Focus gives us greater capacity to continue building knowledge about the Baltic Sea, while also supporting research and collaborations further offshore,” says Sanna Thimmig Johansen, CEO of the Voice of the Ocean Foundation.
Ocean Focus, formerly Geo Focus, has been delivered to MidOcean and is now in Visby. From September, the vessel will join the shipping company’s fleet under its new name. With Visby as its home port, the vessel will have a clear connection to Gotland and the Baltic Sea.
The vessel is equipped for advanced scientific work at sea, including Kongsberg multibeam for seabed mapping, a HiPAP system for underwater positioning and communication, and DP1 for precision positioning. There is also capacity on board for crew and researchers during longer expeditions.
Together with MidOcean’s existing vessels, Ocean Focus strengthens the VOTO family’s ability to support researchers and collaboration partners with vessel time, technical expertise and access to the sea. The vessel is expected to begin contributing to VOTO-related research projects from 2027.
For further information, please contact:
Robert Kautsky, Head of Communications
Voice of the Ocean Foundation
[email protected]
+4673-510 49 11
About the Voice of the Ocean Foundation
Voice of the Ocean envisions a world where the ocean is understood, respected, and protected. The Foundation dedicates itself to advancing marine research and enhancing knowledge. By uniting the power of storytelling with scientific integrity, Voice of the Ocean seeks to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and inspire meaningful engagement with the ocean.
About Midocean
Midocean provides fast, versatile vessels, logistics and technical support for marine research, marine archaeology, ocean observation, survey work and film production. With adaptable platforms, experienced crews, and strategic locations in Sweden, Midocean gives projects efficient access to the Baltic Sea, Skagerrak, and Kattegat for safe, practical, and reliable work at sea.
By managing vessels, technology and operational expertise, Midocean supports research, knowledge-building and communication about the ocean. The company provides flexible, environmentally conscious sea transport and marine solutions that complement the research fleet and help projects move from idea to action.
