A new short film by OceanX brings audiences into the heart of the Into the Deep: Monsoon Rise Expedition, a major deep-sea mission jointly led by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and OceanX, with participation from researchers at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum and the Tropical Marine Science Institute. 

Conducted from 7 to 28 October 2025, the 22-day expedition ventured into the largely unexplored Monsoon Rise, a seamount complex in the eastern Indian Ocean. The mission aimed to uncover new insights into deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystems in a region where little was previously known.  

Importantly, the expedition also reflects the principles of the United Nations Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement by bringing together researchers from ASEAN and Small Island Developing States—Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Fiji—and the sharing of benefits from marine scientific research. This marks an important milestone for Singapore’s role in global marine science as this strengthens regional collaboration and capacity in deep-sea research.  

Equipped with advanced technologies such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), deep-sea landers, and multi-beam sonar systems, the team mapped the seafloor and collected biological specimens from extreme depths. These efforts contribute to building a critical scientific baseline for understanding and conserving marine life in this region. 

OceanX’s film captures not only rare footages of deep-sea animals, but also the human stories behind the expedition; highlighting the collaboration, challenges, and shared sense of purpose among researchers and crew. Through cinematic storytelling, the film offers a rare glimpse into one of Earth’s least explored frontiers.

Watch the film and dive into the expedition here! 

Readers can revisit the journey of the expedition through our earlier posts:

Mission launch

Mission complete

Scientists Q&A