Korea's new polar ship welcomed

A visit by Korea's new $108 million icebreaker Araon to Lyttelton is part of extending the country's Antarctic programme, which is also considering Christchurch as its gateway base.

The city already hosts Italy and the United States and is now pitching itself as the ideal choice for Korea.

Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Lou Sanson said Korea's ice effort had a $200m yearly budget and would represent a significant addition to the Antarctica business in Christchurch.

Korea was looking at two or three other mainland centres, but every effort was being made to ensure Korea selected Christchurch, he said.

The Araon, which arrived on Friday, is heading into Antarctic waters late this month for sea trials and to scope options for its new station, which include sites at Cape Burkes, Enderby Land and Terra Nova Bay.

Korea already has a base on King George Island in the Antarctic Peninsula, and also has research facilities at Dasan Station, in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard Islands in the Arctic.

A party that included Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, representatives of the local Korean community and the Korean Polar Research Institute, welcomed the Araon to Lyttelton on Saturday.

Parker said the city was keen to help aid Antarctica New Zealand build and foster strong relationships with polar explorers such as Korea.

"The capabilities of this icebreaker mean that Korea is now a significant partner in Antarctic science."

The recently launched 6950-tonne ship has a range of 37,000km without refuelling, allowing it to make voyages of up to 70 days. The ship is designed to operate in ice up to one metre thick and can accommodate up to 65 scientists and 25 crew members.

The name Araon is a mixture of Korean words for sea (ara) and all (on).

The Araon will return to Lyttelton from her voyage to Antarctica late next month.

Sanson said his organisation was also keen to pursue research links with the Koreans on global warming, fishing and tectonic plate movement.

- © Fairfax NZ News