40 students and staff from the University of Stavanger will sail from La Paz to Herradura Bay with the Staatsraad Lehmkuhl. They will be the crew of the ship, while also studying and conducting research.
April 2025 to April 2026 (UiS sails from La Paz to Herradura, 26 November to 13 December 2025)
Starts and ends in Bergen. The voyage crosses the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
The goal is to create awareness and share knowledge about the importance of the ocean for a sustainable future globally.
About the voyage
Sailing route
The University of Stavanger will participate in the voyage from La Paz, Mexico to Herradura Bay, November 26 to December 9, 2025.
The stage offers a combination of adventure, learning and reflection – all on board the sailing ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl. In November and December the climate is perfect for sailing. The temperature is between 23-30°C, there is minimal rainfall and long, sunny days that make the sea sparkle.
La Paz: The start of the adventure
La Paz, known as the “City of Peace,” is located in the heart of Baja California Sur, Mexico. The port city is surrounded by one of the world’s most biodiverse oceans – the Sea of Cortez, also known as the “aquarium of the sea.” La Paz is a popular ecotourism destination, with opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and whale watching, especially around the island of Isla Espiritu Santo. The city is known for its relaxed pace, friendly atmosphere, and long boardwalk (malecón), where participants can enjoy beautiful sunsets before boarding the Statsraad Lehmkuhl.
Herradura Bay: A beautiful ending
Herradura Bay in Costa Rica is an idyllic harbor located at the gateway to the country's famous rainforests and national parks. Originally a small fishing village, the area has now become a tourist destination. The bay is surrounded by lush vegetation and golden sandy beaches.
Costa Rica is known for its incredible biodiversity. The country is home to over 500,000 different species, which makes up about five percent of the world's biodiversity. Costa Rica has 28 national parks and many reserves. In Herradura Bay, you can see sea turtles, exotic birds and colorful fish exploring the coral reefs.
We research the ocean
The climate is changing, the water is becoming more acidic, species are disappearing, there is overfishing and we are polluting. At the same time, we are completely dependent on everything the ocean gives us.
The goal of the One Ocean Expedition is to find out what the state of the ocean is like. Scientists and students will collect data all the way around the world. Some topics will be studied in particular, such as the exchange of CO2 between the atmosphere and the ocean, and how it affects the acidity of the water.
The marine life along the route will be investigated, and the researchers will record the traces of us humans: What pollution is there – such as microplastics, and how much noise there is from everything we do, on and in the sea. A number of satellites are monitoring the oceans, and the researchers sailing with Statsraad Lehmkuhl will help verify what the satellites are actually seeing.
One health, one world
How can we achieve better health for humans, animals, and the environment? That is the challenge our students and researchers have worked on.
For four years, Professor Daniela M. Pampanin at the Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering has gathered the best students from the University of Stavanger and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro to learn more about challenges for public health and the environment.
The NorBra collaboration project received 3 million kroner from Diku (Directorate for Internationalization and Quality Development in Higher Education) for the work of equipping a new generation to face demanding issues related to the health of both humans, animals and the environment.
The approach in the education project is called One Health. The idea is to create and execute programs, policies, legislation, and research where several sectors communicate and work together for better public health.
UiS researchers on the One Ocean Expedition
Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering
Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering
Department of Mathematics and Physics
Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering
Department of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering
Department of Economics and Finance
Department of Safety, Economics and Planning