Protests of Russian seismic ship Sailing to Antarctica in Cape Town

Cape Town – The departure of the Akademik Alexander Karpinsky from South Africa for its search for oil and gas in Antarctica as well as other scientific research activities has been met with protests from climate activists.

Despite the efforts of organizations such as Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace in Cape Town, one of the five main gateways to Antarctica, the Russian-owned ship has set off on its mission.

The ship refueled near Table Mountain and is now en route to Antarctica with its seismic airguns. After stopping at a Russian research station in West Antarctica, the Karpinsky will head east and use its airguns to map the seabed.

Although resource extraction is banned in Antarctica under the Antarctic Treaty’s environmental laws, scientific research is permitted and this is what the annual report states the Karpinsky will be conducting in the Southern Ocean.