Call for Participant

OceanX-BRIN Collaborative Deep-Sea Research 2025 Mission

BACKGROUND

Indonesia’s deep ocean remains one of the last great frontiers of biodiversity, climate regulation, and marine genetic resources. To help close this knowledge gap and advance Indonesia’s national goals for sustainable ocean governance, OceanX and BRIN are launching a collaborative mission in November-December 2025 focused on deep-sea science, capacity building, and policy-relevant data generation.

This collaboration will be governed under Indonesian leadership, fully compliant with Law No. 11/2019, and aligned with BRIN’s cooperative research platform (2025–2027) and key national initiatives such as Project Krisna, Project LAUTRA, and the RPJMN. OceanX will contribute its globally unique research platform, OceanXplorer, and work in partnership with BRIN, KKP, Bappenas, and Indonesian universities to co-design and deliver expeditions, training programs, and scientific outputs. 

The inaugural mission will focus on the unexplored seamount ecosystems of Northern Sulawesi, marking the first step in a long-term research effort. This first expedition will generate foundational ecological and genetic baselines, support national marine protected area (MPA) design, train Indonesian researchers aboard the vessel, and build momentum for sustained Indonesian-led deep-ocean exploration.

While the 2025 mission is the immediate focus, OceanX and BRIN may explore the possibility of future collaboration based on the outcomes of this first expedition.

OBJECTIVES

The OceanX–BRIN collaboration establishes a joint mission to support Indonesian-led deep-ocean science, capacity building, and policy-relevant data generation in 2025. The partnership is designed to evolve annually through joint planning, rotating research sites, and targeted training aligned with BRIN’s research roadmap and national priorities.

While the 2025 mission is the current scope of collaboration, both parties may explore future activities pending the results of this first expedition

1. Advance deep-sea scientific discovery by co-designing annual multidisciplinary expeditions to underexplored marine regions, with a focus on biodiversity, oceanographic dynamics, eDNA facilitated species discovery, and ecological baselines.
2. Strengthen Indonesia’s national ocean science capacity, through structured training, fellowships and at-sea experience for early-career researchers, technicians, and educators, building toward long term independence in deep-sea research and operations.
3. Generate and share data to inform marine policy, including support for MPA expansion (Project LAUTRA), climate resilience planning, fisheries management, and marine spatial planning, using formats compatible with BRIN’s national data systems.
4. Support the operational readiness of Indonesia’s emerging scientific fleet, by aligning onboard training with BRIN’s new research vessel systems and standardizing workflows and documentation across platforms.
5. Lay the foundation for long-term international collaboration by piloting co-governed platform for research, education, and public engagement, anchored in Indonesian leadership and supported by technology, media, and global partnerships.

SCIENTIFIC THEME

The OceanX–BRIN 2025 mission is structured around four primary research themes that align with BRIN’s 2025–2027 National Research Roadmap. These themes were selected based on scientific merit, relevance to Indonesia’s policy agenda, and operational feasibility in the Northern Sulawesi seamount region.

Two additional research themes (Themes 5 and 6) may be explored through limited pilot sampling to test protocols and inform potential future missions, pending joint agreement. All themes are structured around shared objectives, policy relevance, and scalable methodologies. Research questions are illustrative and subject to joint refinement by the Science Steering Committee.

Theme 1 Deep-Sea Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health

Theme 2 Oceanographic Drivers and Ecosystem Connectivity

Theme 3 Marine Genomics and Biodiversity Mapping

Theme 4 Submarine Geology and Geohazards

Theme 5 Megafauna and Food Web Dynamics (Pilot)

Theme 6 Ecosystem Services and Carbon Dynamics (Pilot)

EXPEDITION PLAN

The inaugural expedition of the OceanX-BRIN program is scheduled for November-December 2025. It is designed as catalytic pilot mission to demonstrate feasibility, generate high-impact data, and lay the groundwork for future collaboration as demonstrated by OceanX and BRIN’s past collaborative missions. The mission is designed as a three-phase deployment that integrates high-level engagement, capacity building, and scientific exploration. All research and training activities will be conducted under BRIN leadership and in compliance with Law No. 11/2019. The location of this expedition is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Location Map of BRIN OceanX Mission 2025 inside the red polygon located at Indonesia EEZ.

The 2025 mission will focus on the seamount ecosystems of Northern Sulawesi, a region identified jointly by OceanX and BRIN for its exceptional geological and ecological value. This area features multiple newly documented seamounts, discovered during the 2024 expedition, and supports diverse benthic habitats, sentinel species, and potential bioprospecting sites. It also offers unique opportunities to study deep–shallow connectivity critical to the functioning of coral reef systems and coastal fisheries.

The study area sits within Indonesia’s WPP 716 (Fisheries Management Area) and overlaps with BRIN’s existing marine observatories, the Bunaken National Park network, and local university partners. Its selection reflects both scientific merit and operational readiness, building on proven vessel access, permitting pathways, and institutional relationships.

Site Selection Criteria:

• Alignment with National Priorities: Contribution to Project LAUTRA, MSP, biodiversity inventories, and Indonesia’s 30% marine conservation target by 2045.
• Overlap with BRIN’s 2025–2027 Roadmap: Relevance to deep-sea biodiversity, oceanographic baselining, blue biotechnology, and carbon flux research.
• Significance: Known presence of VMEs, megafauna habitats, and underexplored vertical gradients from shelf to abyss.
• Logistical Feasibility: Safe operating depths and seafloor morphology for OceanXplorer deployment (e.g. ROVs, sonar, CTDs), with port access at Manado or Bitung.
• Training and Collaboration Opportunities: Proximity to BRIN field stations and academic partners for capacity building, embedded fellowships, and follow-up lab work.

While Northern Sulawesi is the confirmed 2025 priority, future expeditions may be considered based on mutual interest and successful completion of the inaugural campaign. Potential location of interest include the Banda and Aru Basins, Halmahera Deep, and Savu Sea, subject to future scope

RESEARCH VESSEL

About OceanXplorer

The OceanXplorer measures 87.1 m long and 21.4 m wide and accommodates research and media activities for a maximum of 72 crew members. OceanXplorer is powered by four Caterpillar 3516B engines delivering a total power output of 1900 kW at 1,800 rpm. It has support vessels (a Metal Shark boat, two Zodiac Milpro Mk 6 HD inflatable boats, and Maritime Partner MP-741 Springer fast rescue craft) and the H125 Airbus resident helicopter. 

Figure 2. OceanXplorer

Sonar Array and Equipment

Its sonar array, also known as the gondola, features two multibeam systems, the Kongsberg EM712 and EM304, capable of mapping to 3,600 m and 6,000 m respectively. This cutting-edge acoustic array enables high-resolution mapping of the seabed bathymetry. Working along other sensors, including those that visualize the top layers of seafloor substrate, currents, and biomass within the water column, these technologies provide scientists with all the data they need to deeply understand an entire ocean ecosystem from surface to the seafloor. 

The vessel is equipped with CTD, built-in collection systems, and scanners, as well as other equipment such as a 3D photogrammetry rig, and a hydrophone array. The vessel also features scuba diving facilities to equip up to 12 divers, dive cylinders, a recompression chamber, emergency oxygen gear, various dive scooters, and other required stuff. 

Deep Sea Vehicle

The vessel features two manned Triton submersibles with the capacity to dive to more than 1000 m deep water for up to eight hours, Argus Mariner XL remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and Remus 6000 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) with the capability to explore up to 6,000m underwater. A 40t man-rated A-frame crane was installed to launch submersibles, towed sonar arrays, and other heavy equipment.

Descending into the twilight zone, the ship’s two Triton submersibles are equipped with an array of science and media equipment. Neptune is configured to maximize science with a retractable tray for mounting scientific devices. Nadir doubles as a movie marine studio, broadcasting its discoveries to the surface in real time for audiences around the world.

Figure 3. Deep-Sea Vehicle

Wet and Dry Labs

Four wet and dry labs are used for various purposes, such as microscopy, aquarium tanks, genetic sequencing, biofluorescent imaging, and visualization of samples from the ship’s various sensors. 

Figure 4 Dry Labs

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS TIMELINE (TENTATIVE)