Antarctic Wharf Ready for RRS Sir David Attenborough Polar Research Vessel

For the first time, polar ships have moored at a new £40 million wharf at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. The RRS James Clark Ross used it to re-supply the station and pick up staff for return to the UK. Construction partners and designers of the wharf, BAM, with the support of Sweco and technical advisors Ramboll, completed a second, six-month construction season, during the Antarctic austral summer. Turner & Townsend also provided cost management for the project.

The new wharf, which replaces a smaller structure built in the 1980s, is part of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme, commissioned by the UK Research and Innovation’s National Environment Research Council.

The 74-meter wharf is designed to accommodate the new polar research vessel, RRS Sir David Attenborough. With its enhanced cargo-handling facilities, including a larger crane, the new wharf will enable more efficient loading and unloading of supplies, as well as the deployment of small boats used for scientific diving and marine research operations.

The success of the new wharf symbolizes an effective collaboration between science and industry. Building in one of the world’s most extreme environments required careful planning, digital construction expertise and the ability to work collectively at every stage of the process from client brief, to engineering design, to supply chain delivery. Operating safely and sustainably helped overcome potential risks from adverse weather, icebergs and wildlife, such as whales and seals. Onsite team integration and suitable well-being support were essential ingredients for working life, particularly for those who were new to working in the Antarctic.

Maintaining the highest standards of biosecurity, and demonstrating that the operation has no lasting negative impact on the natural environment and ongoing science operations, was vital in the construction of the wharf. All site team members received environmental and biosecurity training before deploying to ensure that equipment entering the Antarctic complied with project-specific biosecurity regulations.

Due to the practical restrictions of working in one of the most remote construction sites in the world, the construction team practiced full-scale assembly before deployment. The 45 ton steel frames forming the skeleton were tested to identify any unexpected challenges or additional pieces of equipment that may be needed, while still in the UK, which was critical before shipping materials 11,000 kilometers to Rothera.

The second season of construction began last November with de-winterizing the site; clearing 2,000 tons of snow at the start of the Antarctic summer. The team successfully installed the final 14 huge frames and all the facing sheet piles, equating to over 1,000 tons of steel. The wharf was then backfilled to complete the structure.

While the wharf equipment will be formally commissioned and accepted later this year, the wharf’s completion has allowed it to be used to demobilize this year’s building program early in response to COVID-19 precautionary measures.