
The "HESPÉRIDES" Oceanographic Research Vessel (BIO) is the only Spanish vessel designed to carry out multidisciplinary scientific research in all seas and oceans around the world, including the Arctic and Antarctic regions during the boreal and austral summers, respectively.
The vessel is mainly active in the southern summers, when it conducts scientific campaigns in Antarctica and provides the necessary logistical support to the crews of the Spanish "Juan Carlos I" and "Gabriel de Castilla" Antarctic Bases (BAEs), supplying fuel, equipment for the essential operation of the facilities, and the necessary supplies and provisions for the various scheduled stopovers.
The research carried out by the vessel is governed and financed primarily by the National Research, Development and Innovation Plan (R+D+I), developed by the Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation of the Ministry of Research, Science and Universities. The Commission for the Coordination and Monitoring of Oceanographic Vessel Activities (COCSABO) is responsible for planning these scientific operations without affecting the authority and competence of the Spanish Navy in relation to activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone.