Sri Lanka denies research access to FAO’s advanced ocean vessel ‘Dr. Fridtjof Nansen’ amid regional tensions and lack of standard protocols. The ship will dock only for refueling before heading to Bangladesh, triggering over $1M in project losses and delaying climate research till 2030.
FAO’s ‘Dr. Fridtjof Nansen’ to Dock in Colombo — But Sri Lanka Blocks Research Mission
The renowned FAO marine research vessel ‘Dr. Fridtjof Nansen’ is set to arrive in Colombo only for replenishment, not for its originally planned research in Sri Lankan waters, the Daily Mirror has learned.
The vessel, known for conducting surveys on fish stocks, marine biodiversity, and oceanographic data, was earlier granted permission by the previous government. However, the current administration has denied research access, citing the lack of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for foreign scientific missions in Sri Lankan territory.
This decision comes amid growing diplomatic sensitivity following India’s protests over Chinese research vessels operating in the region. In response, Sri Lanka is now developing formal guidelines to govern such activities — a process that has temporarily halted all foreign research operations.
In a letter dated May 19, 2025, the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources officially canceled the FAO vessel’s scientific mission. The FAO warned that this decision could lead to over $1 million in financial losses, disrupt Green Climate Fund projects, and potentially delay the vessel’s return to Sri Lanka until after 2030.
After resupplying in Colombo, the vessel will proceed to conduct research in Bangladesh.
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