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Embark on the 12th Antarctic Expedition aboard the Simón Bolívar vessel
Colombia begins its 12th Antarctic Expedition aboard the ARC Simón Bolívar ship, reaffirming its commitment to science and the planet.
Once again, Colombian talent is heading to the Antártica. Aboard the Buque ARC Simón Bolívar, a vessel made in Colombia and crewed by Colombians, a new scientific mission begins that reinforces our commitment to environmental protection. That is why on 6 December 2025, the country will set sail on its 12th Colombian Antarctic Expedition (12 EAC), led by the Programa Antártico Colombiano (PAC). Discover why this voyage is a source of pride for the country of beauty.
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A Colombian expedition with knowledge that crosses borders
The country, through the Programa Antártico Colombiano, has led a constant effort to understand the planet’s southernmost ecosystems. Through this program, the development of scientific activities is coordinated so the country can contribute valuable knowledge about global climate and marine biodiversity. Thanks to this work, Colombia has strengthened its presence on the white continent, boosting the profile of Colombian researchers and contributing to the advancement of the planet’s scientific knowledge.
In addition, during the voyage through the Pacífico Sureste and the Estrecho de Gerlache, the Buque ARC Simón Bolívar will study oceanographic variables and obtain hydrographic information that will allow the updating of the nautical charts of the Antártica. These actions, in addition to strengthening national capacities, represent an invaluable contribution to maritime safety in the Antártica and to the understanding of the phenomena that connect the white continent with the rest of the planet.
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A vessel with Colombian talent
The vessel enables a dual role: carrying out national scientific activities and promoting international cooperation. In addition, the Hércules C-130 aircraft of the Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana will provide support for transporting researchers and cargo, both for the Programa Antártico Colombiano and for programs of allied countries. During the 12th Antarctic Expedition, around 50 PAC researchers will carry out fieldwork aboard scientific vessels and en las bases antárticas of countries such as Argentina, Bulgaria, Chile, Ecuador and scientific meetings and exchanges will be held with researchers from Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, among others.
The Programa Antártico Colombiano will include artistic expression projects on this expedition that will allow the Antártica to be contemplated from new narratives. These initiatives seek to make visible the experiences, beauty and needs of the white continent, promoting an ecosocial transition that responds to the current environmental challenges. Each researcher participating in the expedition reflects the interest of civil society in studying the planet’s major phenomena and contributing to the answers needed by the global scientific community. This work reflects the country’s commitment to knowledge, sustainability and scientific and cultural development.
Projects that protect marine biodiversity
In total, 25 research projects will be developed and supported, some of them focused on the study of the abundance and behavior of marine mammal species, as well as monitoring their migratory processes. These projects include analysis of the ocean soundscape, a scientific tool that helps understand how underwater noise affects acoustic habitats and ecosystems. In this way, the studies become a crucial contribution to understanding how human activities affect marine life.
The projects also include investigations into the marine biodiversity hosted by the Antarctic marine and terrestrial ecosystems, monitoring possible sources of pollution and the impact of climate change on the continent, as well as the effects of atmospheric pressure on sea level. The role of the Southern Ocean in regulating the global climate will also be analyzed, and new technologies will be applied to monitor and reduce the impact of human activities.
Colombia, a country that protects marine life from every corner
The Antártica, with its unique biodiversity and ecosystems, is an invaluable natural laboratory, so the development of science contributes directly to building global knowledge that can guide effective and sustainable environmental policies. Each expedition led by the PAC demonstrates that Colombian science has an active role in studying climate change, marine biodiversity and polar ecosystems, contributing to environmental protection and strengthening the country's commitment to sustainable development.
