This North Atlantic crossing marks the first stage of a research program that will continue through the autumn along both the west and east coasts of Greenland. Organized by the Forel Heritage Association, the 2026 expedition brings together scientists, sailors, engineers, artists, and science communicators around several international projects dedicated to studying the impacts of climate change on Greenlandic fjord ecosystems.
Over the coming months, seven scientific programs will be conducted aboard FOREL. Research will focus on carbon fluxes, polar microbiomes, zooplankton, nanoparticles, environmental robotics, atmospheric processes, and glacier dynamics. The teams on board will investigate the complex interactions between glaciers, oceans, the atmosphere, and biodiversity to better understand the rapid transformations affecting polar regions.
After arriving in Kangerlussuaq, FOREL will carry out several scientific campaigns in fjords along both the west and east coasts of Greenland, with planned stopovers including Nuuk, Narsaq, Tasiilaq, and Ittoqqortoormiit. Alongside the research activities, outreach and educational initiatives will be organized in collaboration with schools, universities, artists, and local communities.
Before departure, the crew benefited from the valuable support of the teams and port facilities in Lorient. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the preparation of the vessel and helped make this departure possible under the best conditions.
Throughout the expedition, we will share updates from the field, scientific highlights, encounters, and images from the regions visited.
You can follow FOREL’s journey in real time and track the vessel’s position on the interactive map by clicking on the LIVE section of our website.
Fair winds to the crew, and stay tuned for the first updates from the 2026 Arctic season.
photos : Julien Girardot
