18 May, 2015 News stories

Announcement of opportunity – Antarctic construction works associated with a new polar research vessel. Cambridge Seminar 4 June 2015

In April 2014 the British Government earmarked more than £200 million for a new UK polar flagship that will be ready for its first science mission in 2019. A major part of this investment is the redevelopment of Antarctic research station infrastructure.

On Thursday 4 June 2015 at 10am BAS will host a seminar for design and construction industries at its Cambridge offices to introduce the opportunities to get involved in projects associated with the commission of the new polar research ship.

The estimated value of these associated projects, excluding VAT, is around £30 million. Projects are expected to include:

Enhancement of facilities at Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula

  • Alterations or extension to the existing wharf and slipway
  • Design and construction of new buildings
  • Provision of new facilities resulting from changes in science requirements
  • Demolition of existing buildings and disposal of waste outside Antarctica
  • Aircraft hangar recladding and extension
  • Civil engineering remedial works to the crushed rock aircraft runway
  • Additional bulk fuel storage tanks
  • Alteration to Science and Communications towers and other infrastructure

Works at other BAS research stations/facilities

  • New and upgraded facilities at Bird Island and Signy Island Research Stations including jetty upgrades, cargo handling, fuel delivery systems and storage
  • Energy efficiency and sustainability improvements

For more information on how to reserve a place at this seminar please contact either David Seaton at 01223 221228 (email davato@bas.ac.uk) or Vicki Singleton at 01223 221335 (emailvicsin@bas.ac.uk).

The deadline for registrations is Friday 29 May. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

About the seminar

The programme for the day includes presentations and introductions from representatives from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and British Antarctic Survey.

Who should attend

Architects, engineers and construction industry representatives with experience in civil and marine engineering, building structures, fuel systems, environmental assessment, energy efficiency and sustainability, logistics and more.

British Antarctic Survey (BAS), a component of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through its extensive logistic capability and know-how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs.

Owned by NERC (Natural Environment Research Council), and operated by NERC’s British Antarctic Survey (BAS) on behalf of the UK polar science community, this new state-of-the-art research ship will deliver the next generation of UK world-leading marine science in the Antarctic and the Arctic.