Final Report on a Pre-Feasibility Study into an Antarctic Gateway facility in Cape Town

Abstract

Significant activity on the mainland of Antarctica only dates to the International Geophysical Year in 1957. Since then growth of activity has been exponential. Today the Antarctic has a visiting population of scientists and support personnel and varies in size between 1000 in winter and 4000 in the summer. Altogether 26 nations now have Antarctic programs and together they operate 37 year-round stations and 15 seasonal stations. The scientific research done in the Antarctic plays a vital role in our understanding of the dynamics of our planet and well justifies great cost and risk of maintaining scientific bases in that inhospitable environment. Currently, the Antarctic is administered under the Antarctic Treaty which came into force in 1961. It was originally negotiated by a group of 12 countries including South Africa independently of the United Nations. It seeks to preserve the environment of the of Antarctica and to preserve the continent for scientific rather than commercial development Gateway Cities Antarctic activity is supported by five gateways. Besides Cape Town these are: Christchurch in New Zealand, Hobart in Tasmania, Ushuaia in Argentina and Punta Arenas in Chile. The vast distances between the respective gateway cities, and the vastness of the Antarctic continent, limits the interests of each gateway to a particular region of Antarctica. Each gateway has to a greater or lesser degree positioned itself to serve the peculiarities of its particular sphere of interest. Cape Town commands the Queen Maud Land (QML) region of the Antarctic, which is dominated by scientific expeditions and has very little tourism potential. The QML region accounts for about 11% of the “population” of the Antarctic. Transport Traditionally, access to the Antarctic has been by sea. However, for the last 10 years, air transport has become a prominent mode of transport to the Antarctic for personnel. Currently some 200 persons fly to the QML sector from Cape Town and return each year. Since the aircraft currently used from Cape Town need to refuel in the Antarctic with fuel brought in by sea in drums, flying to the Antarctic remains very expensive and risky. Heavy cargo, fuel and the remainder of the personnel going to the Antarctic still go by sea. During the four years spanning 2003 to 2006, Cape Town harbour had 68 visits by 11 polar vessels, altogether spending 1,025 days in port. The bulk of this activity stems from the SA Agulhas, although a modest increase in polar shipping activity seemed to exist in this period. Commercial and Industrial Opportunity Commercial activity generated in Cape Town at present as a result of its gateway position is estimated at between R100 and R150 million. Cape Town is the only Antarctica Gateway city that has a significant industrial capacity, dry docks and ship repair industry and the ability to supply and equip Antarctic expeditions. A coordinated effort on the part of Cape Town could see some increase in this spending – largely by relocating acquisition from Europe to Cape Town. There would be minimal East West effect. The total Antarctic business activity is expected to grow considerably in the future and a coordinated Cape Town effort will maximize the capture of this activity. Cape-Antarctic Gateway Concept A Cape-Antarctic Gateway’s key strengths would be: • One-stop destination for supplies, repairs and dry docking. • Primary focus on logistics and convenience. • Impartiality and neutrality, relating to territorial claims or the science-tourism debate. • World-class stopover for Antarctic personnel, in terms of accommodation, leisure and recreation. • World-class conference facilities. Special Purpose Vehicle To be an effective gateway, an institutional structure should be established wherein the focus, ownership and accountability for the roles can reside. To this end, an Antarctic special purpose vehicle (SPV) or agency is needed to fulfill the following roles through an integrated strategy: Antarctic Visitor Centre There was an early notion, prior to this study, that one facility could be constructed which would support all the functions of a gateway. The findings of this study indicate that at least in the short term, this is not feasible. From discussions with the V&A Waterfront it would appear that there are no longer any economically viable sites in the waterfront, current rentals running at R 145/m2/month; the Antarctic Directorate of DEAT have entered into a 20 year lease agreement with the V&A Waterfront for a facility on East Pier and the Two Oceans Aquarium have committed themselves to the construction of an Antarctic exhibit that will cover most of the needs of an Antarctic Awareness Centre. Constructing a freestanding visitor centre, in itself, would have questionable feasibility. Constructing such a facility in competition with the Two Oceans Aquarium (since they are pressing ahead regardless), is not recommended at all. Specifically, the construction of a 2nd Floor Antarctic Display at the TOA, which will be a dedicated Antarctic science facility, should be pursued. There exists an opportunity for DST to join in this Two Oceans Aquarium venture, in particular, in the construction of a second floor to allow DST to mount a dedicated Antarctic science facility display. The Weather Office has indicated a strong desire to participate in this second floor development to promote their Antarctic work. Two oceans aquarium will be undertaking these improvements during 2007. Thereafter, there will be a moratorium on any further construction work at their site. One way or another, DST will have to take a decision on their participation in this project in the near future even if this is to be the “no action” option.