The heavy ice breaker USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10) moves the ice pier at McMurdo Station, Antarctica so the U.S. Army 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) can build a modular causeway system for offloading cargo from resupply ships. U.S. Navy Photo

gCaptain reports the arrival of USCGC Polar Star at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.

Meanwhile, gCaptain also reports,

“A Russian research vessel which has been prospecting for oil and natural gas in the Antarctic docked in South Africa on Saturday following protests by green campaigners who say its operations in the region violate a treaty banning mineral exploration.”

I have to see this as more evidence that mineral exploitation of Antarctica is inevitable and that it will bring with it at least some forms of conflict between claimants.

A member of Extinction Rebellion holds up a placard as the Akademik Alexander Karpinsky, a Russian polar explorer ship, arrives in Cape Town harbour, South Africa, January 28, 2023. REUTERS/Shelley Christians