A high-tech marine research vessel equipped with advanced sensors will be procured by South Australia following a $44 million investment in last week’s state Budget.
The funding will be used by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) to initiate the design and build of the new 37.7-metre vessel, which will be launched in late 2029.
SARDI’s current 40-year-old vessel Ngerin has undertaken over 500 voyages to support biological and oceanographic studies, but can no longer support the needs of modern marine science, according to the government.
The new vessel will be equipped with advanced sensors and technology to collect critical data that addresses known data gaps in national databases and enhance oceanographic forecast models.
It is also expected to play a crucial role in deploying and maintaining coastal observing platforms, including moorings equipped with advanced sensors designed to detect harmful algal blooms, which will help guide effective response strategies.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the “once-in-a-generation investment will benefit South Australia and the … research community for decades to come”.
“This new vessel will enable world-class research to support our $477 million fisheries and aquaculture industries, expand our knowledge of the oceans, and strengthen our capacity to respond to climate change, biosecurity threats, and marine events,” she said.
Once operational, the new marine research vessel is expected to operate at sea for at least 200 days each year, providing critical infrastructure for agencies, universities and industry.
At least $19 million of the $44 million for the vessel has been contributed by the Commonwealth government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
South Australia provided $30 million over four years in the 2025 Budget for “step change upgrades to South Australian based National Collaborative Research Infrastructure (NCRIS) facilities”.
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