MarineLog reports the French are building a new vessel to support their presence in Antarctica. It is to be operated by the French Navy. Not a lot of details–The story is really about their choice of Wärtsilä equipment to power the ship. Looks like a typical offshore industry support vessel.
Meanwhile British shipyard Cammell Laird has announced that they have secured a contract to build a vessel to be operated by NERC’s British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
Good news for CL. The BAS do some good work. Shame there was no news of a larger replacement for HMS Protector in the SDSR2015 on Monday. Would have been a better buy than two further River class OPV we are getting to provide even more work between the end of QEC construction and the start of T26. Of course BAE probably don’t have suitable design on their shelf and it would be difficult to buy in one from outside………..
Some info about the French polar logistics vessel on page 9 of the latest (in fact, today’s) issue of Arctic Passion News:
Click to access passion_news_1_2016.pdf
“The icebreaking capability is 80 cm level ice.”
It was interesting to me to see how many times China was mentioned in the magazine. Apparently a lot of cooperation with shipyards in China. Also a new Chinese research icebreaker, page 8.
page not found.
It’ll be back later.
You’ll still have to wait for the magazine, but there’s a few presentations about the French polar logistics vessel in these presentations:
Click to access 06_2016-03_-_piriou_-_plv_compressed.pdf
Click to access 06b_polar_logistics_vessel_arctic_passion_2016_.pdf
The French polar logistics vessel was launched recently:
French Navy’s new ice-breaking and patrol vessel “L’Astrolabe” embarks on its first Antarctic mission. http://navaltoday.com/2017/10/17/french-icebreakerpatrol-vessel-lastrolabe-starts-maiden-antarctica-mission/