Research Vessel (R/V) CANA-CNRS
Since its inception, both the CANA-CNRS vessel and project have been strongly based on the principle of mutually beneficial collaborative partnerships and fruitful collaborations.
Working within the framework of the TERCOM project titled, “Activation of Mechanisms to Sustain Rural Territories and Communities in Lebanon,” a collaborative project between the CIHEAM IAM-Bari, the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), and the National Council for Scientific Research-Lebanon (CNRS-L); and stemming from the desire to enhance sustainable coastal development and to prioritize the study of marine eco-systems in Lebanese marine waters, the Italian government proposed a valuable donation in the form of a scientific vessel aimed at supporting marine studies and research in Lebanon. The TERCOM project partners initiated the first step toward the acquisition of the fishing trawler named the “Rosa Marina.” Through the great efforts of CIHEAM IAM-Bari, the vessel sailed from the Port of Bari, to the port of Ortona and then to the Port of Mola (Bari). During its stage-by-stage docking, the “Rosa Marina” underwent complete refurbishment of all engines and hydraulic instruments. Additionally, essential laboratories, training rooms, and scientific equipment were installed to fully transform the fishing trawler into today’s CANA-CNRS Research Vessel.
The CANA-CNRS Research vessel would facilitate the ability of the CNRS to plan and execute scientific investigations in the sea independently - thereby reducing the existing “knowledge gap” and constraints within Marine Research studies in Lebanon.
The initiative strongly received the consent and support of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and every encouragement from the Lebanese Army, which has agreed to house and provide maintenance of the Vessel at the Naval Base in Beirut.
On December 16, 2008 at the port of Bari, the Lebanese flag was hoisted on the CANA-CNRS research vessel. Manned by a Lebanese- Italian crew, the vessel sailed to Lebanon, reaching the Beirut Naval Base on the morning of December 22, 2008.
On April 3, 2009 and under the patronage of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Lebanon, and in the presence of notable Italian and Lebanese authorities, the CNRS inaugurated the CANA-CNRS marine research vessel, the first of its kind in the Middle East.
The CANA-CNRS Vessel, 27 meters length with a gross weight of 123 tons, features a tapered steel hull that provides stability and a safe cruising speed of 8-10 knots.
Three CANA Related Projects have been implemented by the CNRS-L between 2009-2017.