ARAON completes its First Survey Mission in Cape Burks and Terra Nova Bay
Korea’s first Icebreaker "ARAON" has successfully completed its mission of testing ice-breaking capability and surveying candidate sites for a second South Korean research station in Antarctica and arrived in the Christ Church, New Zealand on 18th (18:00).
To celebrate the historical moment, the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs and the Korea Polar Research Institute held a briefing session on board.
The "Araon" set sail for Antarctica in January 12 to carry out thorough investigation and test its ice-breaking ability. 23 experts participated in the investigation on the first candidate site, Cape Burks, and the second site, Terra Nova Bay, which was done by items such as safety, operation easiness and environmental impact, etc.
Especially, the vessel showed its capability to continuously break 1.1 meter-thick multi-year ice at the 3.5 knots in Cape Burks.
The Ministry says that the "Araon" will boost the construction of South Korean research station in Antarctica, which is one of major national projects. It will make its final selection from the two candidate sites within the first half of this year based the survey result and will send an information paper to the ATCM to gain the world’s support.
The "Araon" will leave the Christ Church in February 22 and arrive in Incheon in March 13.
For more information, please contact :
Marine Territory and Development Division / BAEK, Seung-ho
Tel : 82-2-2110-8453
Email : dragon100@mltm.go.kr
International Cooperarion Division / SEO, Joo-eun (Interpreter)
Tel : 82-2-2110-8105
Email : seojooeun@gmail.com
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