EUROFLEETS+, funded under the European Horizon2020 Infrastructures initiative and coordinated by the Marine Institute (Ireland), brings together 42 key marine institutes, universities, foundations and SMEs from 24 countries in Europe, North America and Oceania.

This infrastructure facilitates open access to an integrated and advanced research vessel fleet and prioritises support for research on sustainable, clean and healthy oceans, linking with existing ocean observation infrastructures (eg. EMSO and ECORD/IODP), and innovation through working closely with industry. It enables access to a unique fleet of 27 state-of-the-art research vessels from European and international partners. The research ship Laura Bassi is part of this fleet and is one of the most requested infrastructures in Eurofleets.

Through competitive calls, researchers are able to access most of the oceans. OGS has won several of such calls, both as a leader and as a participant, e.g. with the BURSTERS and PREPARED projects which contributed to the study of the glacial history of polar ice caps.

In addition to comprehensive transnational access activities, EUROFLEETS+ undertakes joint research and multiple networking activities that among other achievements will ensure the development of a strategic roadmap and long-term sustainability plan. To maximise the impact of the infrastructure, diverse training and education activities are implemented within the workpackage coordinated by OGS.