Hobart prepares for bumper Antarctic Season

Published on 03 October 2023

The City of Hobart will host a reception on Tuesday evening (3 October) to celebrate the upcoming Antarctic season, which will see visits from the RV Laura Bassi from Italy and the RV Polarstern from Germany for the first time.

As a leading Antarctic Gateway, this season Hobart will support the Antarctic activities of France, Italy, Germany, and China, including welcoming port calls from their icebreakers.

These icebreaker visits will allow Hobart to showcase the sector’s capabilities, services and products and help secure future engagement between national programs and more visits in the future.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds will host the Antarctic Season Opening Reception at the Waterside Pavilion, with a large number of expeditioners attending before they depart for the season.

“Our Antarctic sector is supported by 950 jobs and worth $160 million to the local economy, and this will continue to grow as we demonstrate our strength as a leading Antarctic Gateway,” Cr Reynolds said.

“With future investment we can strengthen the advantage of our location, history, and reputation to grow Hobart as a world recognised centre of Antarctic excellence, in science, logistics, specialised polar products, medicine, policy and international Antarctic diplomacy.

“Hobart is a flurry of activity right now with so many Australian expeditioners here preparing to head off to work on board the RSV Nuyina and at the Mawson, Davis and Casey Stations and outposts.

“It is onboard the Nuyina, and at these stations, that so much critical work is undertaken by our expeditioners which contributes directly to the care and management of this globally significant place.

“This work feeds into the world’s knowledge and approach to combating the climate crisis we face.

“We are very proud to put on this event for our amazing expeditioners to show them our appreciation and support.”

Hobart City Economy Portfolio Chair Louise Bloomfield said the season was our greatest opportunity in recent years for the City to practically demonstrate and showcase local products, capabilities and services to customers of Hobart’s Antarctic Gateway.

“At our annual Antarctic Season Opening Reception we will acknowledge the expertise and experiences of our sector, and the opportunities the season brings for us to attract new business and enhance our reputation as the epicentre of Australia’s Antarctic program,” Ald Bloomfield said.