On January 9, 2025, Ulrich Bathmann, IOW director from 2011 to 2022, was awarded the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. With this distinction, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier honoured his outstanding contributions to marine research and the protection of seas and oceans. Wolfgang Matthäus, a marine researcher in Warnemünde from 1963 to 2003, also received the Cross of Merit on Ribbon for his decades-long dedication to the historical and scientific appraisal of oceanography in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The awards were presented in Schwerin by Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Minister President, Manuela Schwesig.

“The IOW and I personally are delighted for Prof. Bathmann and Dr. Matthäus. As director, Ulrich Bathmann played a pivotal role in shaping the IOW, the Leibniz Association, and German marine research as a whole. Wolfgang Matthäus remains a valued chronicler of science history at Warnemünde and also fundamentally contributed to Baltic Sea research. The Federal Cross of Merit is a well-deserved and fitting tribute to both of them,” comments IOW director Oliver Zielinski on the honours bestowed on his predecessor and on the senior scientist.

The federal president’s office cites Ulrich Bathmann’s tireless efforts as director of the IOW and his tremendous commitment as chair of the board of the German Marine Research Consortium and on the board of the German Marine Research Alliance as reasons for bestowing the Cross of Merit. According to the office, his decades of work have significantly advanced the networking of marine research institutions in Germany and enhanced their international visibility. “Through his work, Ulrich Bathmann has made a major contribution to establishing Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a center for scientific excellence and to the international recognition of German marine research. For over a decade, he led the IOW, developing it into a leading, well-connected marine research institution of high international regarded,” the State Chancellery of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern adds.

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bathmann (born 1954) studied biology and oceanography before working at various renowned research institutions. He has participated in numerous ship expeditions, exploring the world’s oceans. In 2011, he was appointed director of the IOW and professor of Earth System Research at the University of Rostock. During his tenure at the IOW (until 2022) he played a key role shaping the institute’s research profile to foster interdisciplinary and cross-system approaches with a focus not only on the Baltic Sea but also on a better understanding of coastal and marginal seas in general. He also contributed his expertise to many national and international scientific organisations and research committees, including the German section of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the German Marine Research Consortium and the German Marine Research Alliance. He is still active in the latter two organisations as chair of the board and board member respectively. As spokesman, he was also instrumental in establishing of the Leibniz Science Campus Phosphorus Research in Rostock and for advancing the ‘Martime Systems’ department at the Interdisciplinary Faculty of the University of Rostock. Today, Bathmann remains actively engaged in numerous committees dedicated to promoting excellence in environmental and marine science.

Dr. habil. Wolfgang Karl Matthäus (born 1937) worked as marine scientist in Warnemünde since the early 1960s, initially at the Institute of Oceanography of the GDR Academy of Sciences, which in 1992 was re-established as IOW and later became a Leibniz institute. As a senior scientist specializing in physical oceanography, he gained national and international recognition, particularly for his research on saltwater inflows into the Baltic Sea. Since retiring in 2003, Matthäus has devoted himself to documenting the history of oceanography at the Warnemünde research site. The Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany he was now awarded honours his decades-long commitment to the historical and scientific appraisal of oceanography in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany – of which the Cross of Merit on Ribbon is one of eight levels – is awarded for outstanding political, economic, social and scientific achievements as well as for exceptional contributions to the good of country. It is Germany’s only general award of merit and thus its highest civilian honour. Through these awards, the federal president seeks to draw public attention to individuals, whose exceptional work is of particular importance to society. The distinction does not include any financial reward.