Uruguayan Navy photo

The logistic support ship ROU Gral. Artigas sailed January 15 from the port of Montevideo to Antarctica as part of the Antarkos XLI naval logistic resupply to the Antarctic Science Artigas base.

The ship carries a load of 75 tons, including food and 200,000 lts. of Antarctic gas. The ship’s crew consists of 130 crew members.

Minister Armando Castaingdebat said that this departure from the ship is something very important more than for the Navy for the country. Uruguay has a history, just turned 40 years old installed the Artigas Antarctic Scientific Base last month.

He added that we are in the interest of trying to achieve a new barrier that there must be a great commitment to what the environment means in Antarctica.

In the next few days the Hercules will go to Antarctica and there we will accompany and probably accompany us the ambassador of Canada, since Canada is very interested in being able to participate in some projects of scientific interest, the minister announced.

Castaingdebat stressed the importance of international relations between the nations that are part of the Antarctic Treaty: in the first days of February a scientific Canadian ship will be coming to Uruguay, which has a path to Antarctica, and it is a good opportunity to take advantage of the experience of countries that, have experience in the climatic conditions in Antarctica. Uruguay and Argentina are going through a very important moment of relations.

The Antarkos XLI

This supply operation of the Artigas Antarctic Scientific Base is key to the logistical support of the Base ensuring its operation and continuity within the National Antarctic Program.

The ship carries 75 tons of essential supplies, including food and fuel, in addition to taking care of the removal of waste generated at the base, a key task to preserve the Antarctic ecosystem.

On the departure of the boat were present the Minister of Defense Armando Castaingdebat, Undersecretary Marcelo Montaner, the Deputy Director General of the Secretariat, Cipriano Goñi, the commander-in-chief of the National Navy, Admiral Jorge Wilson, the commander of the Fleet, Rear Admiral Mario Vizcay, among other authorities of the Navy, in addition to relatives of the crew members who went to say goodbye.

This joint effort between the Ministry of National Defence, through the National Navy and the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute, reinforces Uruguay’s commitment to scientific research, sustainability and international cooperation on the white continent.