MercoPress https://en.mercopress.com/ South Atlantic News Agency en Copyright 2026, MercoPress. https://en.mercopress.com/web/img/en/mercopress-logo.gif MercoPress http://en.mercopress.com/ <![CDATA[FAO food commodities prices up in March; concern with energy and fertilizer costs]]> FAO Chief Economist Torero said “if the conflict stretches beyond 40 days farmers will have to choose: farm the same with fewer inputs, plant less, or switch to less intensive fertilizer crops”. World food commodity prices rose in March for the second month in a row, due largely to higher energy prices linked to the conflict escalation in the Near East, according to the latest benchmark measure released by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:13:00 GMT <![CDATA[Replacement of Ice Patrol HMS Protector in the Works?]]> HMS Protector a regular scientific explorer in Antarctica waters during the austral months. She is also a regular visitor and strongly linked to the Falklands Islands. Portsmouth News has reported that UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) has confirmed that capabilities for a future ice patrol ship are currently in the works. Minister for Defense readiness and industry, Luke Pollard, confirmed the development when responding to a parliamentary written question from Reform (former Tory) MP Andrew Rosindell.

]]> Mon, 06 Apr 2026 08:23:00 GMT <![CDATA[Antarctica, eco-sail expedition vessels will have a hybrid sail propulsion system]]> The eco-sail vessels to be delivered in 2029 and 2030 are an iteration of Oceanwide Expeditions’ existing Hondius-class design. Oceanwide Expeditions which specializes in Arctic and Antarctic cruises will construct two 146-passenger eco-sail expedition vessels, constructed with a hybrid sail propulsion system, reducing fuel consumption and lowering operational emissions.

]]> Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:44:00 GMT <![CDATA[International project validates renewable hydrogen energy systems in Antarctica]]> INACH Director Gino Casassa said the green hydrogen pilot plant design is backed by approximately 200 million Chilean pesos in funding from GIZ and the European Union A delegation of Chilean and European authorities and institutions completed a technical visit to the "Profesor Julio Escudero" research station operated by the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) on King George Island, where progress was presented on a pilot renewable hydrogen and energy infrastructure project designed to validate hybrid energy systems in one of the planet's most demanding environments.

]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 01:48:00 GMT <![CDATA[Brazil to expand Antarctica activities with new polar vessel Comandante Saldanha]]> The vessel has a displacement of 5.800 tons plus a hangar to host two helicopters, plus the landing platform. Brazil is expanding its Antarctica presence and activities with the introduction of a new polar vessel currently under construction in the county. The vessel “Almirante Saldanha” is considered an operational and scientific leap for the Brazilian Navy in the context of the strategic development of the Brazilian Antarctic Program.

]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2026 02:49:00 GMT <![CDATA[Under Antarctic ice, Earth’s deepest gravity “low” points to a 70-million-year story]]> The authors report that at the beginning of the Cenozoic, the location of the maximum global geoid depression was centered over the South Atlantic A new study has reconstructed the evolution of the planet’s strongest nonhydrostatic geoid depression —the Antarctic Geoid Low (AGL)— finding that the feature has persisted for at least 70 million years and underwent a major shift in both position and strength between roughly 50 and 30 million years ago.

]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[Argentina, US set to stage ‘Atlantic Dagger’ in high-profile special forces drill]]> The same report said US participants are expected to include Army Green Berets, elements of the Air Force Special Operations Command, and potentially MARSOC units Argentina and the United States are finalizing plans for “Daga Atlántica” (Atlantic Dagger), a joint special operations exercise expected to become one of the most politically significant bilateral defense activities in recent years—aimed at boosting interoperability, shared procedures and combined planning.

]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:34:00 GMT <![CDATA[Argentina probes alleged pollution and abuse claims at key Antarctic outpost]]> The document refers to “repeated breaches of current environmental regulations” and “systematic mistreatment” of crew members during the 2025 Antarctic Campaign An internal complaint alleging prohibited environmental practices and mistreatment of personnel triggered an investigation at Petrel Antarctic Base, a key enclave in Argentina's logistical deployment in Antarctica. The investigation is being conducted by the Antarctic Joint Command (COCOANTAR), led by Maximiliano Mangiaterra.

]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2026 03:44:00 GMT <![CDATA[U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker frees luxury cruise ship trapped in Antarctic sea ice]]> The operation took place while Polar Star was deployed under Operation Deep Freeze, supporting U.S. scientific and logistics activity in Antarctica A high-end expedition cruise vessel, the Scenic Eclipse II, received assistance from the heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star after becoming beset by dense sea ice in the Ross Sea in mid-January, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

]]> Sat, 31 Jan 2026 23:28:00 GMT <![CDATA[UK and Chilean air forces share Operation ‘Austral Endurance’ in Antarctica]]> Crew of one of the crew involved in the Austral Endurance Operation (Pic Flt Lt Leggott) British Forces South Atlantic Islands, BFSAI, stationed at the Falkland Islands have completed Operation ‘Austral Endurance’, strengthening the UK’s ability to operate safely and responsibly in the Antarctic.

]]> Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:05:00 GMT