Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) is the largest public research organisation in Spain, and one of the most important in the European Research Area (ERA). It is also the main player in the Spanish science, technology and innovation system. CSIC is formed by over 13,200 people, distributed between the CSIC Corporate Organisation, 121 research institutes and 3 national centres distributed throughout Spain, as well as an institute in Rome, Italy. The Marine Technology Unit (UTM), which is involved in the GEXTRECS project, provides support to the national research, development and innovation policy in science and marine & polar technology. The UTM is in charge of the integral management of the oceanographic ships: Sarmiento de Gamboa and García del Cid. It is also responsive for the logistics and technological management of the oceanographic research ship (BIO) Hespérides. In addition, the UTM manages the Spanish Antarctic Station (SAS) Juan Carlos I.