Reopening of Brazilian Base in Antarctica Postponed Until Tomorrow

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The vice-president of the Republic, Hamilton Mourão, will reopen tomorrow, January 15th, the Comandante Ferraz Station, Brazil’s research base in Antarctica.

The bad weather prevented the arrival of Mourão and the authorities that will participate in the ceremony, initially scheduled for today, January 14th. The information was confirmed by the Brazilian Navy.

The new building, which is located on King George Island, in Admiralty Bay, was erected next to the current base, which has a provisional structure.

Comandante Ferraz Station was created in 1984, but in 2012 it suffered a major fire and 70 percent of its facilities were lost.

The federal government invested about US$100 million (R$400 million) in the work and the unit received the most advanced equipment in the world. On site, researchers will conduct studies in the areas of biology, oceanography, glaciology, meteorology, and anthropology.

Occupying an area of 4,500 square meters, the station will be able to accommodate 64 people, according to the Brazilian Navy. The new research center will have 17 laboratories.

The project to rebuild the station began in 2017 by the China Electronics Import and Export Corporation, which won the Brazilian government’s bid.

Brazil is part of a select group of 29 countries that have scientific stations in Antarctica.

Source: Agência Brasil