March 28, 2024

Construction partner chosen to modernise Antarctic infrastructure

Construction expert BAM has been chosen to partner with British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to modernise UK Antarctic and other research facilities, enabling British scientists to continue delivering world class research into some of the most important issues facing our planet.  BAM has teamed up with major European design consultants SWECO to assist with project delivery. 

Commissioned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), this long-term UK partnership will last between 7-10 years and is worth an estimated £100m. The modernisation programme will enable a world-leading capability to ensure that Britain remains at the forefront of climate, biodiversity and ocean research in the Polar regions.

One of the first projects to be undertaken is the redevelopment of the wharf at the BAS Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula.  This is part of the enhancement of polar facilities to accommodate the new state-of-the-art polar research vessel the RRS Sir David Attenborough.

Aerial View of Rothera (Credit Sandy Cordiner @BAS)

BAM, whose UK arm, BAM Nuttall was responsible for iconic structures such as the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, the Clyde Arc in Glasgow, and the Mersey Tunnel, was selected following a thorough procurement exercise that attracted interest from over 20 firms worldwide and five eventual bidders. Two Group companies BAM Nuttall and BAM International will be responsible for project delivery with BAM International bringing invaluable skills in working in remote parts of the world.

The Antarctic construction projects will present unique challenges given the continent is the highest, driest, coldest and windiest on Earth, and most construction work will need to be completed during the four month window of the Antarctic summer. Construction workers will live and work alongside science teams in harsh and remote environments, sometimes in sub-zero temperatures.

Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson said: “Key to the long-term success of science and innovation in the UK is ensuring our world-class research sector has the tools it needs to thrive on a global stage.

“The government’s £200m investment on specialist research ships including RRS Sir David Attenborough underlines our commitment to this burgeoning sector and our upcoming industrial strategy will go even further, placing science and innovation at its absolute core.”

Captain Tim Stockings, Director of Operations at BAS, said: “This is an exciting moment for polar science. We are about to embark on a partnership to deliver a modernised Antarctic capability, which will involve changes to all five of our Antarctic research stations. This crucial work will enable our scientists to continue addressing issues of global importance.  This investment means also that we can continue to improve our operational capability in the polar regions and in the UK.”

Professor Duncan Wingham, NERC CEO, said: “The Polar Regions, although geographically remote, are of equal importance in our drive to understand how the Earth is changing. NERC science in Antarctica plays an important role in meeting this challenge.  Working with BAM and design partner SWECO, on this long term approach to modernising our infrastructure in the Antarctic, we will jointly foster and further build the UK’s high level of expertise, experience and good practices for working in challenging design and construction environments.”

Stephen Fox CBE, Chief Executive of BAM Nuttall, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this prestigious contract from NERC and very much look forward to partnering with the technical and operational teams at British Antarctic Survey.  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.”

In addition to building a new wharf, storage and living quarters at Rothera Research Station, other Antarctic development projects that will be undertaken include modernising buildings and facilities at BAS stations in Signy (South Orkney Islands), Bird Island (South Georgia) and King Edward Point (South Georgia).