亥姆霍兹海洋研究中心是欧洲海洋科学领域的领先机构之一。研究所的任务是对现代海洋科学的所有相关方面进行跨学科调查，从海底地质学到海洋气象学，研究在世界范围内进行。
中心主要的研究主题包括：海洋环流与气候动力学、海洋生物地球化学、海洋生态学和海底动态，气候变化中的海洋和冰冻圈、海洋和极地生命。此外，研究中心还为卓越集群“未来海洋”做出了贡献，与基尔大学密切合作，培养未来的海洋科学家，并为地质学和地球物理学等其他课程提供额外贡献。GEOMAR还与世界各地的其他大学有合作项目。针对学生和教师的特别计划旨在激发对海洋科学的早期兴趣。该研究所是亥姆霍兹协会的成员，拥有850多名科学和技术人员。
通过研究以及对知识和技术转让的承诺，亥姆霍兹海洋研究中心为保护海洋的功能并为子孙后代保护海洋做出了重大贡献。中心探索从海底到大气的全球海洋，以了解海洋系统，并为紧迫的社会问题开发可持续的解决方案，发现并了解从海底到大气的海洋系统，在全球范围内共同设计海洋研究；支持提倡人才、创新、多样性和创造力，并参与国际交流。通过与科学、政治和社会的对话，中心为海洋的保护和利益制定可持续的解决方案。
Helmholtz Center for Marine Research is one of Europe's leading institutions in the field of Marine science. The Institute's mission is to conduct an interdisciplinary survey of all relevant aspects of modern Marine science, from seabed geology to Marine meteorology, with research conducted worldwide.
The Centre's main research topics include ocean circulation and climate dynamics, Marine biogeochemistry, Marine ecology and seafloor dynamics, ocean and cryosphere in climate change, and Marine and polar life. In addition, the Research Centre has contributed to the Excellence cluster Future Oceans, working closely with Keele University to train future Marine scientists, as well as providing additional contributions to other courses such as geology and geophysics. GEOMAR also has collaborative projects with other universities around the world. Special programs for students and teachers aim to stimulate early interest in Marine science. The institute is a member of the Helmholtz Society and has more than 850 scientific and technical staff.
Through research and a commitment to knowledge and technology transfer, the Helmholtz Centre for Marine Research makes a significant contribution to preserving the functioning of the oceans and preserving them for future generations. The Centre explores the global ocean from the seabed to the atmosphere to understand Marine systems and develop sustainable solutions to pressing social problems, discovers and understands Marine systems from the seabed to the atmosphere, and co-designs Marine research on a global scale; Support the promotion of talent, innovation, diversity and creativity, and participation in international exchanges. Through dialogue with science, politics and society, the Center develops sustainable solutions for the conservation and benefits of the oceans.