HARWICH port is the new base for two ice-strengthened ships doing research in the Antarctic.

Hutchison Ports has revealed that Harwich International Port is now the home base for British Antarctic Survey’s two Royal Research Ships, the RRS James Clark Ross and the RRS Ernest Shackleton.

The two ships are making their inaugural calls at the port in September before deploying to the Antarctic, where they will remain until summer 2019.

Mark Seaman, finance director at Hutchison Ports UK, said: “Harwich International is well known for its excellent ferry links to the continent, however, the port has a wide range of facilities and handles a variety of cargoes and ship types.

"We normally see general and project cargoes as well as both dry and liquid bulks, cruise and offshore-support vessels, so the two survey ships fit well with this and are an exciting addition to our customer base.

“The British Antarctic Survey undertakes research in the Polar Regions to aid our understanding of the impact of human activity on the environment.

"We are pleased to be able to help them, albeit in a very small way, with their very important work.”

The RRS James Clark Ross is one of the world’s largest polar research ships.

Launched by Her Majesty the Queen in 1990, it is primarily a marine research ship for biological, oceanographic and geophysical operations.

It is equipped with a suite of laboratories and winch systems that allow scientific equipment to be deployed astern or amidships. The ship is also extremely quiet meaning it can use sensitive acoustic equipment.

The RRS Ernest Shackleton, launched in 1995, is primarily a logistics ship used to transport cargo, fuel and passengers.

While in Harwich the ships were loaded with a diverse range of supplies from snow mobiles and foodstuffs to construction materials all destined for the UK’s numerous Antarctic bases.