Antarctic Charter Vessels Framework

High Level ship requirements:

Minimum 50-passenger capacity UK to UK. Passengers on and off at BAS stations and ports called into.

Minimum 40 x 20 foot cargo container capacity, each container may weigh up to 20,000kg.

Fuel delivery to stations. To enable continued operation of the stations the vessel must have the ability to deliver fuel to Rothera, Bird Island and Signey Stations:

Capacity to carry Break bulk items of cargo that cannot be containerised.

Ability to carry all types of dangerous goods:

Small boating capability to include:

•Cargo tender with the capacity to deliver 10 tonnes of cargo or staff from ship to small Island stations where main ship cannot dock.

•Small boats to deploy scientific field parties via beach landings.

Ice class of sufficient standard to reach Rothera station in mid-December and not depart Rothera until late April. To reach Signy station in Early November. Polar Code compliant.

Must be able to dock at: KEP and Rothera.

High Level ship requirements:

100-passenger capacity UK to UK (including time at Rothera). Passengers on and off at BAS stations and ports called into.

Vessel to remain at Rothera to provide hotel accommodation for up to 100 people during the Rothera Antarctic summer season. It is anticipated that during the Antarctic season the vessel will have to return to an Antarctic gateway port to re fuel and re supply.

Small boating capability to include boats capable of beach landings.

The vessel must be capable of leaving the Rothera wharf each morning and returning each evening to allow aircraft operations to be completed by BAS aircraft.

Ice class of sufficient standard to reach Rothera station in mid-December and not depart Rothera until 1st May.

Polar Code compliant

Biosecurity compliant to BAS & Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) specifications

High Level ship requirements:

To either deliver station staff to or from Rothera at the start or end of the season.

100-passenger capacity Rothera to Antarctic Gateway port (or vice versa). Passengers on and off at BAS stations and ports called into. All victualing, full board (food and soft drinks) to be included in charter cost.

Must be able to dock at Rothera or transfer staff and personal luggage between ship and Rothera station via small boats in a safe and efficient manner.

All fuel is to be procured by the ship operators and charged back to BAS at the same rate.

Ice class of sufficient standard to reach Rothera station as early as mid-December and as late as 1st May.

Polar Code compliant

Biosecurity compliant to BAS specifications & BAS Biosecurity Regulations

Ships going to Halley or to BAS traverse offload sites are required to be able to self-moor against either sea ice that is against the edge of the ice shelf or low shelf ice suitable for safe cargo operations. Due to the variability of thickness and condition of sea ice, cargo loads must be broken down on-board the ship. Snow machines will take cargo from the ships side to depot locations.

Cargo will be delivered to the Antarctic gateway port by BAS.

40 x 20 foot container capacity, each container may weigh up to 20,000kg.

Fuel delivery: To enable continued operation of the station and BAS traverse offload sites the vessel must have the ability to deliver:

•Bulk Aviation fuel to either Halley or traverse offload site.

•Drummed Aviation fuel.

Cranage to offload all cargo carried. (Minimum carnage should be 35,000kg at 20m reach)

Ice class of sufficient standard to reach Halley or traverse offload sites as early as 25th Dec or as late as 1st Mar.

Polar Code compliant