New giant aquarium
The new marine park “Ocean Berlin” in number
The massive project at Rummelsburg Bay is still in the shell stage of construction. It will open to visitors in just under a year. What is planned?
With “Ocean Berlin” a new aquarium is being built in Rummelsburger Bay. A topping-out ceremony was celebrated on Friday. Time for an overview.
When does the marine park open?
The building is scheduled for completion in April 2026. The opening is planned for the end of 2026. According to a press spokesperson, the exact date has not been determined. Israeli company Coral World, which is leading the project, estimates the attraction will attract about 700,000 visitors a year.
What types of fish are shown?
There is approval for 400 species, including fish, corals and invertebrates, the press office explained. The final selection will only be announced shortly before the opening.
How safe is the swimming pool?
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In response to the implosion of the giant 16-meter-tall Aquadom aquarium in 2022, the thickness of its panels is also being checked, said construction manager and architect Stefan Golmitz during a press tour. According to information, the pool was built from very thick acrylic glass panels. Some are up to 40 centimeters thick. All windows are checked before installation and checked again using sensors as soon as water enters, Golmitz said.
How big is the building?
The floor area is approximately 37,000 square meters. This includes not only the “Ocean Berlin”, but also a hotel with about 170 rooms being built next to the aquarium. The marine park itself has three floors and covers an area of around 27,000 square meters, including parking. The height of the building is about 30 meters, as informed by the press office.
Six exhibition areas are planned, some of which have multiple basins: ocean, Red Sea, coral reefs, mangrove areas, Caribbean lagoons and the North Sea. According to information, the sea basin will hold 7.5 million liters – seven times more than the Aquadome. Overall, the pools hold around 10 million liters of water. A tunnel made of acrylic glass leads into the tank, where visitors can observe the fish. There will also be a 3D cinema, shops and food options.
According to its own information, Coral World does not want to be a zoo, but rather a learning place where training and further education about marine ecosystems is carried out.
What materials are used?
To stabilize the foundation, 500 concrete pillars were sunk into the ground to a depth of 32 meters. 100 pumps will be installed in the water tank. Additionally, thousands of tons of steel were used, Golmitz said.
How much is the entry fee?
Coral World International founder and owner Benjamin Kahn spoke at a press event with an estimated cost of 20 to 25 euros. But that cannot be confirmed, said press spokeswoman Johanna Thompson. Construction costs are currently estimated at more than 100 million euros.
How did residents react?
Citizens’ initiatives and animal rights activists want to demonstrate against the project on Saturday. Among other things, he criticized the fact that, in his words, aquariums contribute to “further maritime plundering.” Ocean World founder Kahn, who is a marine biologist, said: “There will always be people who object.” The real problem is not the large number of fish living in aquariums, but rather overfishing in the sea and the destruction of their habitat by humans.
dpa
