The research vessel (R/V) Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is at the centre of the EAF-Nansen Programme. Named after the late Norwegian scientist, explorer and humanitarian who pioneered ocean research, the vessel flies the UN flag and is a platform for international cooperation between partner countries, researchers and partner organizations of the Programme.

Equipped with the most recent technology, its mission is to generate scientific knowledge about marine resources and ecosystems that can be used to support science-based decisions for the sustainable management of the ocean.

The current R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is the third research vessel to bear the same name, owned by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and operated by the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Norway. The first vessel was launched in 1974 and served for 19 years. The second vessel was built in 1993 and sailed over 605 000 nautical miles until its retirement in 2016, while the third started operating in 2017.

Since its maiden voyage in 1975, this vessel has travelled extensively, conducting research surveys in the waters of approximately 60 countries across East and West Africa, Southeast Asia, the Eastern Central Pacific, and the Caribbean.

Additionally, the vessel plays a significant role in strengthening the capabilities of fisheries institutions and supporting their teams of researchers in generating scientific knowledge about marine resources and ecosystems.