The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is delighted to announce that the Global Ocean Ship-Based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP) has received The Oceanography Society’s prestigious Ocean Observing Team Award.
The honour recognises GO-SHIP’s transformative contributions to global ocean observation and its long-term impact on climate and marine science.
As a long-standing member of the programme, NOC leads the UK contribution to GO-SHIP, with Dr Yvonne Firing serving as the UK representative on the science committee.
Throughout GO-SHIP’s two decades of research, many NOC scientists and researchers have contributed their expertise and leadership, as well as maintaining repeat hydrographic surveys in the Subpolar North Atlantic, Subtropical North and South Atlantic, and across the Drake Passage.
This recognition from The Oceanography Society highlights the extraordinary value of GO-SHIP’s work, which sets a benchmark for international collaboration.
At NOC, we are proud to work with such a dedicated community of experts, whose efforts are essential for understanding how the ocean is changing and how societies can respond.
Professor Penny Holliday
Chief Scientific Officer of NOC and one of hundreds of scientists involved with GO-SHIP
The award was formally presented at The Oceanography Society’s Awards Breakfast on Tuesday 24 February 2026, during the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Glasgow.
GO-SHIP brings together 19 countries to provide comprehensive measurements of the ocean. These observations form an essential record of changes in ocean heat, carbon, oxygen, circulation and biogeochemistry – data essential for understanding and responding to long-term climate trends.
NOC will lead the next UK GO-SHIP expedition, due to take place in Summer 2026 on the RV Celtic Explorer (operated by the Marine Institute).
In collaboration with scientists from Norway, Ireland, Portugal, Belgium, and Switzerland, the NOC team will collate and monitor ocean physics and biogeochemistry measurements as well as phytoplankton measurements aimed at better understanding the ocean carbon cycle.
They will also provide training for early-career researchers from several institutions and countries. The provision of hands-on development opportunities for scientists and researchers from GO-SHIP member countries and beyond is a key theme which underpins GO-SHIP’s work.
At its heart, GO-SHIP is really a story of people – scientists, technicians, engineers, ship crews and students. All from different countries and backgrounds but all working together with a common goal: to better understand the ocean.
Dr. Firing
Be part of the community helping our ocean thrive.
