Rescheduling will leave Marion Island temporarily unmanned

Deployment voyage planned for August

SOUTH AFRICA: Following the announcement in the delay of SA Agulhas II scheduled trip to relieve the current over-wintering team on Marion Island, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has confirmed that the base will be evacuated until a second voyage to restock the island is undertaken in August.

Responding to questions from Maritime Review Africa, the DFFE noted that other Antarctic expedition countries are experiencing similar challenges in sourcing fuel to maintain their activities within the region.

Citing the geopolitical instability in the Middle East, they describe the current situation as a “major global concern”.

“The voyage delays were caused by the unavailability of crucial fuel products that are mixed with normal diesel and are used to create the special polar diesel required to keep the base running within extremely low outside temperatures that would crystalise normal diesel,” said Minister Willie Aucamp. “As we are unsure when these fuel products will be available, we cannot wait any longer at the expense of the wellbeing of our team. Our people’s lives come first.”

The SA Agulhas, which has left Cape Town after helicopters were boarded, will arrive at the island early next week and will remain on site for between three and five days. They are expected to return to South Africa on 28 May 2026. The entire duration of the operation is highly dependent on weather conditions experienced at sea as well as at the base.

The DFFE has assured Maritime Review that the intention to return a full team to the island in August will ensure that there is “minimal interruption” to the facilities in terms of regular maintenance as well as to the continued work being undertaken by scientists at the base.

In addition, Zolile Nqayu, Director: Communication and Advocacy has confirmed that the current situation will not impact on the status of contracts of the team that was due to take up position for the coming winter season. “The contracts remain in place and the team members will be integrated into assisting the Department until their deployment, thus they will not be left without employment,” he wrote.

PHOTO: The SA Agulhas II is operated and managed by AMSOL under the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP). (©Maritime Review Africa)

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