Detlef Wilde

Detlef Wilde is the Project Director for the construction of the new research vessel Polarstern at the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI). As an aerospace engineer, he leads an interdisciplinary team to develop a modern, high-performance successor to the current Polarstern, ensuring it meets cutting-edge technical and environmental standards. The new vessel will enhance polar and marine research capabilities, particularly in extreme ice conditions and deep-sea exploration. Key features include enhanced icebreaking capacity, advanced sediment drilling equipment, and a moon pool for submersible operations. Wilde’s work emphasizes sustainability, energy efficiency, and operational reliability in extreme environments.

His role involves managing the €1.4 billion project from its 2022 federal approval to eventual delivery. The new Polarstern aims to address global climate challenges by enabling critical Earth system research in polar regions. Wilde has contributed to media discussions on maritime sustainability and presented on topics like the Polarstern II’s innovations at conferences such as the Future Conference of the Maritime Economy in Rostock (July 2023).

Contact: +49(471)4831-1281 | Email