As an Decade Contribution to the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) (‘The Ocean Decade’), the Deep Blue Voyager 2035 (DBV) has, since its endorsement, been actively advancing its mission by translating Ocean Decade priorities into concrete, large-scale actions.
Led by Mr. Zhanhai Zhang, DBV serves as an integrated platform that brings together science, industry, and society to support long-term ocean exploration, technological innovation, and public engagement.
On مارس 28, 2026, the Inaugural Ceremony of the Deep Blue Voyager 2026 Western Pacific Expedition was successfully held at Shenzhen International Cruise Home Port. The event brought together representatives from government agencies, research institutions, universities, enterprises, public welfare organizations, and cultural sectors, demonstrating strong cross-sector support for this Decade Action.
The ceremony opened with remarks by Mr. Zhanhai Zhang, Lead of the DBV Decade Contribution and Chief Convenor of the Expedition, who emphasized the strategic vision and long-term commitment of DBV in contributing to the Ocean Decade. Representatives from partner institutions also delivered remarks, expressing their support and expectations for the initiative.
Professor Jian Lin, Principal Chief Scientist of the expedition, presented the overall scientific framework of the decade-long global voyage, including the implementation plan for the 2026 inaugural expedition.
The ceremony featured a series of key activities, including the official flag presentation, roundtable discussions on ocean development, signing of strategic cooperation agreements, recognition of contributors, and the unveiling of the expedition’s mascots. These activities reflect DBV’s role as a platform for fostering collaboration, innovation, and public engagement under the Ocean Decade framework.
Expedition Plan: First Leg (Western Pacific – Philippine Sea)
The first leg of the expedition runs from مارس 30 to مايو 4, 2026 (36 days), focusing on the Philippine Sea. The mission includes:
- Deployment of Argo floats and subsurface moorings in the Western Philippine Sea Basin
- Networked ocean observations and environmental monitoring
- Ocean Bottom Electromagnetic (OBEM) observations in the Eastern Basin
- Seawater, sediment sampling, and rock dredging surveys
- Recovery of deployed equipment near the Mariana Trench
- Continuous air–sea interaction observations throughout the voyage
Public outreach and ocean literacy are key components of the DBV initiative. During the ceremony, 18 Annual Science Communication Ambassadors were officially appointed. They will play an important role in bridging ocean scientific expeditions with public engagement by transforming complex marine science into accessible short videos, visual content, and engaging stories. Through these efforts, deep-sea exploration is brought closer to the public, helping to raise awareness and inspire collective action toward understanding and protecting the ocean.