The South African research base on Marion Island is being reactivated after a 32-member team arrived on the remote sub-Antarctic island earlier this month, three months after an emergency evacuation forced the previous team to abandon their mission.

The S.A. Agulhas II departed Cape Town on 5 August following a send-off ceremony attended by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment David Maynier. The vessel arrived at Marion Island on 9 August, with the M83 team landing on the island the following day to begin reactivation work.

R14 million evacuation after fuel crisis

The deployment comes after the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment evacuated 20 researchers from the island in May due to a critical shortage of specialised polar diesel. The fuel crisis, caused by a global scarcity of additives required to prevent diesel from crystallising in extreme cold, was attributed to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The evacuation cost R14 million and forced the abandonment of research activities at the island, which plays a crucial role in South Africa’s Southern Ocean research programme.

Base restoration under way

The current mission includes 20 personnel from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure who are working to restore the base’s operations. Equipment and supplies are being transferred from the S.A. Agulhas II to the island by helicopter, with the offloading process expected to continue throughout the coming week.

The base is scheduled to be officially handed over to the M83 team on 25 August, barring any delays.

Maynier said the team had made great progress in getting the base operational again through careful coordination between stakeholders. “While there is still much work to be done, the efficient redeployment of the Marion Island team bodes well for the future of our research programme in the region,” he said.

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Securing future operations

The minister emphasised the importance of Southern Ocean research for South Africa. “The Southern Ocean has a direct impact on South Africa’s climate, and therefore on our country’s economy and security. It is vital that we retain our position as Africa’s leader in Southern Ocean and Antarctic research.”

The department has secured an 18-month supply of polar diesel and is exploring the construction of a large fuel depot on the island to prevent future supply disruptions.

The initial departure of the S.A. Agulhas II was delayed due to the late arrival of helicopters needed for the operation.

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