Cape Town

Heavy cargo, fuel and other personnel going to the Antarctic still go by sea. General promotion of Antarctica as a place of geopolitical importance and interest to the general informed public.

Ship operations

Similarly, South Africa's "sphere of interest" is centered on the Dronning Maud Land (DML) sector (but not limited to the sector's treaty boundaries). It cannot be accommodated at the V & A and must dock in Table Bay – usually around Berth J.

Air transport

Today, ALCI operates intercontinental flights between Cape Town and the Antarctic bases Troll (Norway) and Novolazarevskaya (Russia) using Ilyushin 76 and Hercules aircraft. ALCI continues to operate five to seven flights between Cape Town and DML bases each year during the summer season, from early November to mid-February.

4 Benchmarking to Other Antarctic Gateway Cities

Hobart, Tasmania (Australia)
Ushuaia (Argentina)
Punta Arenas (Chile)
Scientific Interests
Tourism
Education and Awareness
Commerce
Industry
Growth opportunity

3 There seem to be varying opinions about the rigors of the journey to Antarctica from Cape Town. Germany (also suitable for France): Polar Tern and Meteor (about 130 m Lo/a), 2-3 times a year from Cape Town.

5 A Cape-Antarctic Gateway: Concept Development

Cape Town as a Unique Gateway

Cape Town has significantly more industrial and dry docking capacity than any of the other gateway cities; therefore, it has the capacity to assume a significant gateway role in the short term. Unlike most (if not all) other countries that host gateway cities, South Africa does not exercise any territorial claim to Antarctica and therefore does not treat Antarctica as part of its own territory. This positions South Africa well in relation to the Antarctic Treaty and creates a positive environment in which a multinational gateway can be established.

It gives South Africa a degree of impartiality and perceived neutrality, to allow Cape Town to become an international gateway to the Antarctic. Cape Town's poor potential to facilitate Antarctic tourism suggests it will be easier to avoid the anticipated conflict between scientists and tour operators. Cape Town is the logical gateway to all national Antarctic programs in Europe and Scandinavia.

The above suggests that Cape Town can be positioned as a premium logistics and supply gateway, for SANAP and other national Antarctic programmes.

Institutional Considerations

General promotion of Antarctica, as a place of geopolitical importance and interest, to the wider informed public. One idea could be to organize an event similar to the Antarctic Midwinter Festival, held in Tasmania during June each year. Manage relationships with all national Antarctic programs, including SANAP, with a view to understanding their requirements for a gateway city and facilitating the fulfillment of these needs.

This could include procuring specialized services and supplies through the Antarctic Industrial Cluster.

Antarctic

Facility Alternatives
Rationale for an Antarctic Visitor Centre
Assessment of Site Alternatives for a Visitor Centre
Conclusion on Site Assessment

Similarly, the Two Oceans Aquarium has indicated that they are creating a substantial Antarctic exhibit, containing many elements of an Antarctic visitor center, within a purpose-built section of the aquarium. Although various science centers and museums in the Cape Town metropolitan area contain exhibitions (e.g. South African Museum) or have in the past hosted special exhibitions (e.g. MTN Science Centre) that touch on or focus on Antarctica, most South African adults and youth remain unaware of the importance of Antarctic and South Sea research. It is DST's intention that the proposed Antarctic Gateway should "promote public awareness of Antarctic and South Sea research activities".

The DEAT feasibility study and the long-term plans for the development of the port will not be completed until the end of 2011. Establishing a future Antarctic Visitor Center at the V&A fits in with the objectives of the V&A Waterfront Company. Hout Bay Harbor has good potential in terms of the availability of land and buildings for conversion.

Although there are strong synergies between the goals of the MTN Science Center and a future Antarctic Gateway Center, the current location of the MTN Science Center does not allow for it.

6 Assessment of alternatives within the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (Optimal site alternative for a Visitor Centre)

The DST, perhaps through an SPV, enters into an agreement with the TOA to contribute finance and technical expertise for the creation of the Antarctic exhibit as
The DST, perhaps through an SPV, enters into an agreement with the TOA to create the additional 2 nd floor Antarctic Display to house an extensive Antarctic science
The DST, perhaps through an SPV, enters into a lease agreement with the V&A Waterfront to construct a dedicated and separate visitor facility at another location in
No immediate action)
Two Oceans Aquarium Co-Location, no 2 nd floor Antarctic Display) In this scenario, the DST enters into a partnership agreement with the TOA to provide
Two Oceans Aquarium Co-Location, with 2 nd Floor Antarctic Display) The DST enters into a lease agreement with the TOA for a new floor built to house an
Purpose built facility
The old Maritime Museum site (Shop 17) to the east of the Two Oceans Aquarium – following on the relocation of the Maritime Museum the V&A Waterfront Company has
Site 2

Artist's impression of the view inside the Antarctic base exhibit, towards the cold room entrance. Plan view of the 2nd floor, showing the optional Antarctic display in the lower left corner. An artist's impression of what the optional 2nd Floor Antarctic Display looks like.

In this scenario, TOA continues to develop the Antarctic exhibit with DST's input in the design of interpretive materials as requested by TOA. TOA remains the primary financier, i.e. contributes a major part of the necessary funds for the development and furnishing of the exhibition. We understand that concepts for the redevelopment of the site have not yet been determined.

This site presents medium-term opportunities for short-term expansion of the facility created at the Two Oceans Aquarium.

7 Assessment of Facility Alternatives: Logistical Support to National Antarctic Programmes (NAP’s)

The implementation of this plan has been temporarily postponed, subject to the resolution of the environmental issue of the expansion of the container bed. Should there be no unnecessary delays in that regard, construction and establishment of the container handling area could be completed within the next 5 to 10 years. Hout Bay: An alternative in the longer term planning framework would be to place the gateway outside Table Bay.

Given the Hout Bay Harbor layout, a second basin seaward of the existing main breakwater, with a breakwater starting from the area of the sewerage works, is quite possible. The ship will not be keen to first proceed to Table Bay to clear customs and immigration and then move to Hout Bay. A development of this nature will act as a major boost to the rational development of the existing port and to the Hout Bay valley and make a significant contribution to the attractiveness of the valley from a tourist perspective.

The proposal will increase the exposure of the valley and help focus public funding on solving the current problems in the valley.

8 Conclusions and Suggestions

9 Appendix A: Interview Notes

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 1

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 3

Ron has only ever seen one Antarctic vessel in port in Cape Town at a time. The quay is approximately 150 m long and could accommodate 2 small vessels or one larger one at a time.

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 6

There is excellent cooperation between South Africa and other countries in relation to the Antarctic. Christchurch in New Zealand already has an Antarctic Awareness Center with a cold room cooled to -30°C to give a sense of the Antarctic experience. An awareness component of an Antarctic Gateway helps to promote the SANAE base among the general population in South Africa.

South Africa has introduced a Comprehensive Environmental Assessment (CEE) program to assess the environmental impacts of any development, new bases, etc. There is an initiative to rationalize Antarctic logistics, but at the same time, further growth in activity and the number of people in Antarctica is expected. Service and overhaul of Antarctic tractors and vehicles can be done in Cape Town.

With the experience of building the SANAE base and the new Marion Island base, Cape Town has the expertise to build Antarctic bases for other countries.

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 9

The Antarctic Gateway project must be as much a bridge between Cape Town and SANAE as a general Gateway. Baum and Kaliazin have a vested interest in Antarctic logistics to the extent that they are overly enthusiastic about the Gateway concept and have a vision that may lie outside the frame of reference of this project. Their name ALCI – Antarctic Logistics Center International – suggests that they see themselves in many ways as a commercially based Antarctic gateway – that their interests would be best served by working with a government-sponsored gateway.

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 10

Should the NPA change their mind and make Berth "D" available as a dedicated Antarctic jetty (unlikely), the Clock Tower area will become more attractive for non-logistics activities in Antarctica.

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 11

To maximize the use of the vessel, Smit will market the Agulhas for scientific cruises, including passengers, to the south and along the African coast. An Antarctic Gateway office can act as a marketing facilitator between commercial interests and the Department of Foreign Affairs. At international committee meetings, suppliers can set up promotional stands in the lobby to the meeting hall.

The inboard side of East Pier will soon be available and can be added to the DEAT lease.

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 12

Scientists all fly to Cape Town to join their ship and fly back when their ship returns. They expect tourist treatment while in Cape Town, both before boarding their ship and on their return. The Japanese are concerned about crime in Cape Town and have chosen to use Hobart instead.

Contact Vice Admiral Johannes Mudima regarding the use of Simonstown Naval Harbor – now managed by Denel.

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 17

They stated that they were satisfied with the Q&A master plan but wanted to increase activity levels.

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 22

ALCI will not transport private tourists to the Antarctic without approval, insurance, etc. and are expected to monitor them until they arrive at a base from another country.

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 23

The weather office in Cape Town needs to grow and will need new accommodation. Currently the demand is for around 1800 m2 to accommodate the offices and workshops of the Airport and Stellenbosch.

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 24

V&A has no objection to co-location of DST Antarctic Awareness at the aquarium, nor to DST entering into a PPP with the aquarium.

Antarctic Gateway Pre-feasibility Study - Interview 25

The agency must be a 'Triple Helix': a three-way interaction between government, industry and academia.