BAM Nuttall to modernise Antarctic stations

BAM Nuttall has been chosen by the British Antarctic Survey to modernise its scientific research stations across Antarctica.

The project to modernise UK Antarctic and other research facilities is expected to cost between £40m-£100m and the contract could last up to 10 years, depending on the scope of the works.

Work is expected to begin in summer of 2018 with the first project being improvements to wharf and slipway facilities at the Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic peninsula. This redevelopment is required to accommodate the new state-of-the-art polar research vessel the RRS Sir David Attenborough.

Other projects that will be undertaken include modernising buildings and facilities at BAS research stations on Signy Island (South Orkney Islands), Bird Island (South Georgia) and at King Edward Point (South Georgia).

The first project involves improvements to wharf and slipway facilities at the Rothera Research Station

Working in the Antarctic will present a unique set of challenges for project managers as they battle with the elements given the continent is the highest, driest, coldest and windiest on earth.

Most of the construction work will also have to be completed during the four-month window of the Antarctic summer. The workers on site will live and work alongside science teams in harsh and remote environments, often in sub-zero temperatures.

Stephen Fox, chief executive of BAM Nuttall, said: “The opportunity to apply our skills and capability in remote environmentally sensitive gives our delivery team a unique and rewarding experience. This project will provide a great opportunity to showcase British innovation in digital design and manufacture.

“We are fully committed to developing our workforce and will look forward to involving our young engineers through apprenticeship and graduate programmes.”