FAO ship will come to Colombo for replenishment

Colombo, June 21 (Daily Mirror) - The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) research vessel ‘Dr. Fridtjof Nansen’ will arrive in Colombo only for replenishment but not for any research activity, despite the initial plan, Daily Mirror learns.

Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is a research vessel that conducts surveys, collecting vital data on fish stocks, biodiversity, and oceanographic conditions. It sought to carry out research activities in Sri Lankan waters, but the government has denied access for it in the absence of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for foreign research vessels.

The previous government gave approval for this vessel to conduct research in Sri Lankan waters. The Sri Lankan government is embroiled in a crisis in the conduct of opening research vessels following protests by India over the involvement of Chinese research vessels. India has openly protested such involvement of Chinese vessels in Sri Lanka, citing security reasons. Afterwards, Sri Lanka has decided to develop SOPs for the conduct of oceanic research.

The FAO received a letter dated ay 19, 2025 from the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, cancelling the F. Nansen's visit pending the development of standard operating procedures for foreign research vessels. The document stated that it “could result in over $1 million in losses, undermine Green Climate Fund programmes relying on the vessel’s data, and delay any future visit until after 2030.”

After replenishment in Sri Lanka, it will carry out research work in Bangladesh.